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.

---

hydrophone British  

/ ˈhaɪdrəˌfəʊn /

noun

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

---

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.

---

Etymology

Origin of hydrophone

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

Example Sentences

This information was coupled with auditory data from almost 500 hydrophone recorders in US Atlantic waters that captured whales' calls.

From Science Daily • Apr. 12, 2024

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

The Loch Ness Center said researchers would try to seek evidence of Nessie using thermal-imaging drones, infrared cameras and a hydrophone to detect underwater sounds in the lake’s murky waters.

From Seattle Times • Aug. 26, 2023

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

From "The Line Tender" by Kate Allen