hydrophone

American  

[hahy-druh-fohn] / ˈhaɪ drəˌfoʊn /

noun

1. a device for locating sources of sound under water, as for detecting submarines by the noise of their engines.

2. an instrument employing the principles of the microphone, used to detect the flow of water through a pipe.

3. Medicine/Medical. an instrument used in auscultation, whereby sounds are intensified through a column of water.

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hydrophone British  

/ ˈhaɪdrəˌfəʊn /

noun

1. an electroacoustic transducer that converts sound or ultrasonic waves travelling through water into electrical oscillations

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hydrophone Scientific  

/ hī′drə-fōn′ /

1. A device used to detect or monitor sound under water. Hydrophones are often installed or towed in arrays that can be used to pinpoint a sound source or provide sea-floor imaging as part of a sonar system.

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Etymology

Origin of hydrophone

First recorded in 1855–60; hydro- ¹ + -phone

Example Sentences

See Examples For:

hydrophone

Each tag recorded extensive information, including motion data, video footage from a lighted camera, hydrophone audio of echolocation clicks, and GPS coordinates.

From Science Daily ● Nov. 17, 2025

A hydrophone placed in the water detected movements of the reptiles, which had sonic transmitters attached to their shells.

From National Geographic ● Sep. 22, 2023

A hydrophone was also used to detect acoustic signals under the water.

From Reuters ● Aug. 27, 2023

Drones fitted with infrared cameras are to be flown over the loch, and a hydrophone is to be used to detect unusual underwater sounds.

From BBC ● Aug. 5, 2023

The ping was strongest when the hydrophone was pointing directly at the tag.

From "The Line Tender" by Kate Allen