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Noun: sonar  sow-naa(r)
  1. A measuring instrument that sends out an acoustic pulse in water and measures distances in terms of the time for the echo of the pulse to return
    "sonar is an acronym for sound navigation ranging";
    - echo sounder, asdic

Derived forms: sonars

Type of: measuring device, measuring instrument, measuring system, navigational instrument

Part of: pigboat [informal], sub [informal], submarine

Encyclopedia: Sonar