echolocation

Noun

echolocation (countable and uncountable, plural echolocations)

1. The use of echoes to detect objects as observed in bats and other natural creatures.
   • Since there is no convenient term available to describe this process of locating obstacles by means of echoes, I suggest the word echolocation[…]. The meaning of this word, and a corresponding verb to echolocate, are likely to be clear when first heard or read, since they are formed simply by...1944 December 29, Donald Redfield Griffin, “Echolocation by Blind Men, Bats and Radar”, in Science, volume 100, number 2609, →DOI, page 598, columns 1–2
   • Now similarly with the aquatic mammals, we know that they can make sounds. We are beginning to get information—although no curves yet—on their sensitivity of hearing. These need to be followed up and we should look for this process of echo-ranging or echolocation.1953 February 7, Donald Redfield Griffin, “Summary and Discussion of Section III”, in Proceedings of a Conference on Orientation in Animals, Washington, D.C.: Office of Naval Research, page 272

   Synonyms:

   biosonar