radar

Noun (1)

radar (countable and uncountable, plural radars)

1. (uncountable) In full primary radar: a method of detecting a distant object and determining its position, velocity, or other characteristics by analysing radio waves (usually microwaves) which are sent towards the object and which reflect off its surfaces; also, the field of study of this method.
   • They were able to find the enemy fleet using radar.
   • Although operational environments profoundly differ, both kinds of autonomous vehicles, groundcraft and aircraft, will still rely on conceptually the same sorts of sensors — cameras, radar and lidar — to perceive surroundings in real time.2020 January 1, Adam Hadhazy, “Achieving autonomy”, in Aerospace America, archived from the original on 22 Apr 2025
   1. (broadly, uncountable) In full secondary radar: a method of detecting a distant object and determining its position, velocity, or other characteristics by analysing signals transmitted by the object in response to radio waves sent towards the object.
   2. (countable) Often preceded by a descriptive word: a system using one of the above detection methods, differentiated by configuration or platform, frequency, power, and other technical attributes.
      • The Ministry of Defence funded the development of an entirely new radar and improved avionics.
      • Evidence as to the audio monitor's reading is required to prove the [police] officer used the radar unit properly, and must be shown in order to secure a conviction for speeding when using radar.2002, Brian Jonathan Wolk, “Producing Inconsistencies in Various Cases”, in Ohio Traffic Tickets are for the Birds: A Practical Defense Manual for Juveniles and Adults, Lincoln, Neb.: Writers Club...
   3. (countable) An installation of the apparatus for operating one of the above detection systems.
      • Each of these aircraft has been upgraded with a new radar and a more powerful engine.
      • [T]he [depth] bombs must be tied to a grid of listening devices, radars and plotting instruments.1941 October 2, Arthur Krock, “The value of armament to merchant ships”, in The New York Times (C section), New York, N.Y.: The New York Times Company, →ISSN, →OCLC, archived from the original on 07...
2. (broadly, uncountable) Often preceded by a descriptive word: a natural (for example, in an animal such as a bat) or human-made detection method based on the analysis of reflected signals other than radio waves, as light waves or sound waves; (countable) an instance of this.
3. (countable, figuratively) A superior ability to detect something; an awareness, an intuition.
   • His sensitive radar for hidden alliances keeps him out of trouble.
   • Stanley: Geez, how'd ya know? / Happy: I got radar or something.1949, Arthur Miller, Death of a Salesman: Certain Private Conversations […], New York, N.Y.: Viking Press, →OCLC, Act II, page 100

Verb

radar (third-person singular simple present radars, present participle radaring, simple past and past participle radared)

1. (transitive) To use a radar apparatus (noun senses 1, 1.1, or 2) on (someone or something); to scan (someone or something) with, or as if with, radar.
   • This was no ordinary signal for help that Baby-John was radaring to outer space, but a call that had to be heeded, for he had just seen two hard guys go down for the final count— […]1961, Irving Shulman, chapter 8, in West Side Story: A Novelization […], New York, N.Y.: Pocket Books, published November 1967, →ISBN, page 137
   • I don't think men are born on this planet. I think men are born on the planet Pluto and they have them molecularly disassembled and radar-ed to the earth.1991 January, Elizabeth Egloff, “Swan Play”, in Jocelyn Beard, editor, The Best Women’s Stage Monologues of 1990 (Applause Acting Series), Newbury, Vt.: Smith and Kraus, →ISBN, page 69

Noun (2) capitalized: RADAR

IPA/ˈɹeɪdɑː(ɹ)/

RADAR (plural RADARs)

1. (dated) Alternative letter-case form of radar.
   • Police traffic RADARs can provide a speed reading on a detected target, but they cannot measure the range to the target.1983, “Basic Principles of RADAR Speed Measurement”, in Basic Training Program in RADAR Speed Measurement: Trainee Instructional Manual, U.S. Department of Transportation, National Highway Traffic...
   • Multiple RADARs can be mounted at different parts of the vehicle, front and rear, to get the complete view of objects all round.2016, Rahul Kala, “Basics of Autonomous Vehicles”, in On-Road Intelligent Vehicles: Motion Planning for Intelligent Transportation Systems, Butterworth-Heinemann, →ISBN, section 2 (Hardware), page 14