radar
ra·dar/ˈɹeɪˌdɑɹ/noun, verb
radar is a noun meaning “In full primary radar: a method of detecting a distant object and determining its position, velocity, or other characteristics by analysing radio…” (English Wiktionary, September 2026). It is spelled R-A-D-A-R and has 2 syllables (ra·dar), and it appears 16 times per million words in written English (wordfreq, 2021 data). The plural of radar is radars.
What does radar mean?
noun
- 1
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.
- 2
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.
- 3
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.
- 4
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.
- 5
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.
- 6
A superior ability to detect something; an awareness, an intuition.
His sensitive radar for hidden alliances keeps him out of trouble.
verb
- 1
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.
noun
- 1
datedAlternative letter-case form of radar.
Source: English Wiktionary, dump of September 2, 2026 (CC BY-SA 4.0), through kaikki.org (Wiktextract).
How do you pronounce radar?
- UK /ˈɹeɪdɑː/
- US /ˈɹeɪˌdɑɹ/
Radar has 2 syllables, split ra·dar in writing.
Source: English Wiktionary, dump of September 2, 2026 (CC BY-SA 4.0), through kaikki.org (Wiktextract). Recordings: En-us-radar.ogg, LL-Q1860_(eng)-Naomi_Persephone_Amethyst_(NaomiAmethyst)-radar.wav, Wikimedia Commons (author and licence on each file's page).
Forms of radar
- radars plural, present, singular, he/she/it
- radaring participle, present
- radared participle, past
Source: English Wiktionary, dump of September 2, 2026 (CC BY-SA 4.0), through kaikki.org (Wiktextract).
How common is radar?
Radar appears 16 times per million words in written English, the 5,121st most frequent word form in the list.
Source: written frequency: wordfreq 3.1 (a 2021 snapshot of Wikipedia, subtitles, news, books, web text and social media).
Radar in Spanish, French, German and Portuguese
In the sense method of detecting a distant object by analysing radio waves which are sent tow:
Source: English Wiktionary, dump of September 2, 2026 (CC BY-SA 4.0), through kaikki.org (Wiktextract). Translations are Wiktionary's, by sense; a linked word has its own PlainSpell page.