radar English · revision 6863

+ {{infobox|confidence=established|formation=acronym|attested=1941}}

+

+ ==Pronunciation==

+ * IPA: /ˈɹeɪdɑː/ ''(UK)''; /ˈɹeɪˌdɑɹ/ ''(US)''^(Wiktionary)

+

+ ==Etymology==

+ It is an acronym from ra(dio) d(etecting) a(nd) r(anging), coined in American English.^(Barnhart 1988)^(Etymonline)^(MWU 2024) NODE gives “radio detection and ranging”.^(NODE 1998)

+

+ ==Earliest recorded meaning==

+ A system for detecting distant objects by reflected radio waves: 1941.^(Barnhart 1988)^(OED 1989)^(Etymonline)^(MWU 2024)

+

+ ==Semantic evolution==

+ It was the American choice and won out over British ''radiolocation''.^(Etymonline) The apparatus itself is called radar from 1945.^(OED 1989) A figurative intuitive awareness, as in ''on one's radar'', is from 1950.^(OED 1989)^(Etymonline) Compounds such as ''radar dish'' and ''radar astronomy'' followed.^(OED 1989)

+

+ ==Timeline==

+ * 1941 – the system.^(Barnhart 1988)^(OED 1989)

+ * 1945 – the apparatus.^(OED 1989)

+ * 1950 – figurative awareness.^(OED 1989)^(Etymonline)

+

+ ==Modern meaning==

+ ===Noun===

+ # A system for detecting the position and speed of distant objects by sending out [[radio]] waves and receiving their reflections.^(AHD)^(Collins 2023)

+ # The equipment used for this.^(AHD)^(Collins 2023)

+ # ''(informal)'' Awareness or notice: ''under the radar''.^(Collins 2023)

+

+ ==Word family==

+ * [[antiradar]]

+ * [[radarman]]

+ * [[radarscope]]

+

+ ==Related words==

+ * [[laser]]

+ * [[sonar]]

+ * [[radio]]

+

+ ==References==

+ {{reflist}}