# radar

> English word · Noun · IPA /ˈɹeɪdɑː/ · frequency rank #5,160

## Definitions
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.
2. 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.
3. 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.
4. 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.
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.

## Etymology
The noun is derived from RADAR by anacronymic evolution. RADAR is an acronym of ra(dio) d(etection) a(nd) r(anging) which was coined by Lieutenant-Commander Samuel M. Tucker and Lieutenant-Commander F. R. Furth of the United States Navy in November 1940.
The verb is probably derived from the noun.

## Easily confused with
- **rear** (https://plainspell.com/en/vs/radar-vs-rear)
- **roar** (https://plainspell.com/en/vs/radar-vs-roar)
- **raja** (https://plainspell.com/en/vs/radar-vs-raja)
- **Rama** (https://plainspell.com/en/vs/radar-vs-rama)
- **Rana** (https://plainspell.com/en/vs/radar-vs-rana)
- **Raza** (https://plainspell.com/en/vs/radar-vs-raza)
- **Raya** (https://plainspell.com/en/vs/radar-vs-raya)
- **rasa** (https://plainspell.com/en/vs/radar-vs-rasa)
- **rata** (https://plainspell.com/en/vs/radar-vs-rata)
- **radio** (https://plainspell.com/en/vs/radar-vs-radio)
- **rider** (https://plainspell.com/en/vs/radar-vs-rider)
- **razor** (https://plainspell.com/en/vs/radar-vs-razor)
- **ryder** (https://plainspell.com/en/vs/radar-vs-ryder)
- **rarer** (https://plainspell.com/en/vs/radar-vs-rarer)
- **radon** (https://plainspell.com/en/vs/radar-vs-radon)
- **razer** (https://plainspell.com/en/vs/radar-vs-razer)
- **Radha** (https://plainspell.com/en/vs/radar-vs-radha)
- **rajah** (https://plainspell.com/en/vs/radar-vs-rajah)
- **rebar** (https://plainspell.com/en/vs/radar-vs-rebar)
- **reader** (https://plainspell.com/en/vs/radar-vs-reader)

## Common misspellings (7)
`ardar`, `raadr`, `radarr`, `raddar`, `radra`, `rdaar`, `rradar`

## Source
Compiled from Wiktionary via kaikki.org (CC BY-SA). Data vintage: 2026-05-06.
Canonical page: https://plainspell.com/en/word/radar