: a method or device for detecting and locating objects especially underwater by means of sound waves sent out to be reflected by the objects
also
: a device for detecting the presence of a vessel (such as a submarine) by the sound it emits in water
Examples of sonar in a Sentence
They detected the submarine by using sonar.
Recent Examples on the Web
Traditional submarine detection methods like sonar, radar, or magnetic detection, for example, can be, in part, defeated with the right countermeasures.
—
Christopher McFadden, Interesting Engineering, 4 Apr. 2026
Morrison explained that the car uses a new sensor suite of cameras, radars, and sonars that perceive surroundings more acutely than ever before.
—Lauren Brown West-Rosenthal, Parents, 2 Apr. 2026
The seabed appears as if illuminated from the sensor, with objects characterized by a bright highlight facing the sonar and a shadow extending away from it.
—John Femiani, The Conversation, 30 Mar. 2026
The two guides went back to hunting lunkers with their forward-facing sonar, and before the team from Texas Parks and Wildlife showed, the pair of guides had scored big on bigmouths.
—Bob McNally, Outdoor Life, 25 Mar. 2026
See All Example Sentences for sonar
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Christopher McFadden, Interesting Engineering, 4 Apr. 2026
Morrison explained that the car uses a new sensor suite of cameras, radars, and sonars that perceive surroundings more acutely than ever before.
—Lauren Brown West-Rosenthal, Parents, 2 Apr. 2026
The seabed appears as if illuminated from the sensor, with objects characterized by a bright highlight facing the sonar and a shadow extending away from it.
—John Femiani, The Conversation, 30 Mar. 2026
The two guides went back to hunting lunkers with their forward-facing sonar, and before the team from Texas Parks and Wildlife showed, the pair of guides had scored big on bigmouths.
—Bob McNally, Outdoor Life, 25 Mar. 2026
See All Example Sentences for sonar
Cite this Entry
“Sonar.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/sonar. Accessed 5 Apr. 2026.
Copy CitationKids Definition
sonar
noun
so·nar
ˈsō-ˌnär 
: a device for detecting the presence and location of submerged objects (as submarines) by sound waves
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