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.
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.
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:
2
Broadly 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.
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 Press, iUniverse, →ISBN, section 4 (Producing Inconsistencies), page 145:
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.
[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 Nov 2025, page 24, column 5:
5
Broadly 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
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:
1 more example
It [a goal] came inside 50 minutes and moments later [Edinson] Cavani should have had a 12th. [Paul] Pogba and [Luke] Shaw combined before the left-back's cross teed up the striker but his radar was awry.2021 April 29, Jamie Jackson, “Edinson Cavani and Bruno Fernandes help Manchester United hit Roma for six”, in Katharine Viner, editor, The Guardian, London: Guardian News & Media, →ISSN, →OCLC, archived from the original on 27 Aug 2025:
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.
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.
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:
2 more examples
You want to cross-examine an officer about his competence with regards to radar and the radar he used to ticket you with. He radars you while he's sitting in his patrol vehicle under a bridge.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 Press, iUniverse, →ISBN, section 4 (Producing Inconsistencies), page 156:
[I]n Humans Need Not to Count the artists Varvara & Mar presented a robot clicker counting the number of visitors to the gallery […] The piece also evoked the mythification of artificial intelligence, attributing wisdom and consciousness to what is, in the case of the installation, instrumental intelligence (the robotic hand merely does two moves: radaring and clicking).2021, Francisco Martínez, “Putting Objects to Work”, in Ethnographic Experiments with Artists, Designers and Boundary Objects: Exhibitions as a Research Method, London: UCL Press, →DOI, →ISBN, page 41: