: 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
Chaos Divers, a nonprofit group of volunteer searchers, joined the effort and used sonar technology to locate sites of interest.
—
Saleen Martin, USA Today, 2 Apr. 2025
Anglers not using live-imaging sonar caught one crappie per hour.
—Bryan Hendricks, Arkansas Online, 31 Mar. 2025
During the search of Fox River, divers identified the 23-year-old woman’s vehicle using sonar technology and pulled it to shore, authorities said.
—Kate Linderman, Kansas City Star, 26 Mar. 2025
The Sacramento County Sheriff’s Office used sonar technology to find the teen’s body.
—Rosalio Ahumada, Sacbee.com, 25 Mar. 2025
See All Example Sentences for sonar
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Saleen Martin, USA Today, 2 Apr. 2025
Anglers not using live-imaging sonar caught one crappie per hour.
—Bryan Hendricks, Arkansas Online, 31 Mar. 2025
During the search of Fox River, divers identified the 23-year-old woman’s vehicle using sonar technology and pulled it to shore, authorities said.
—Kate Linderman, Kansas City Star, 26 Mar. 2025
The Sacramento County Sheriff’s Office used sonar technology to find the teen’s body.
—Rosalio Ahumada, Sacbee.com, 25 Mar. 2025
See All Example Sentences for sonar
Cite this Entry
“Sonar.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/sonar. Accessed 16 Apr. 2025.
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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