: 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
Anglers are reporting huge masses of smelt and cisco showing up on their fish-finding sonars, clouds of little fish never before seen in western Lake Superior.
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John Myers, Twin Cities, 11 June 2024
Attempts to locate the men stretched for the next several days and the search was marked with crews using sonar imaging to scan the river’s murky depths, a helicopter and drones.
—Sarah Nelson, The Indianapolis Star, 23 Apr. 2024
Parrott said divers have approached each of the vehicles located by sonar and were able to search inside.
—Emily Opilo, Baltimore Sun, 27 Mar. 2024
Noise from sonar used by military systems and other sources can have devastating effects on whales, dolphins, and other marine life.
—Alan B. Sielen, Foreign Affairs, 15 Oct. 2013
See all Example Sentences for sonar 
John Myers, Twin Cities, 11 June 2024
Attempts to locate the men stretched for the next several days and the search was marked with crews using sonar imaging to scan the river’s murky depths, a helicopter and drones.
—Sarah Nelson, The Indianapolis Star, 23 Apr. 2024
Parrott said divers have approached each of the vehicles located by sonar and were able to search inside.
—Emily Opilo, Baltimore Sun, 27 Mar. 2024
Noise from sonar used by military systems and other sources can have devastating effects on whales, dolphins, and other marine life.
—Alan B. Sielen, Foreign Affairs, 15 Oct. 2013
See all Example Sentences for sonar
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Cite this Entry
“Sonar.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/sonar. Accessed 18 Jun. 2024.
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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