DEW line

[doo, dyoo]

noun

1. a 3,000-mile (4,800-km) long network of radar stations north of the Arctic Circle, maintained by the United States and Canada for providing advance warning of the approach of hostile planes, missiles, etc.

DEW line

/ djuː /

acronym

1. distant early warning line, a network of radar stations situated mainly in Arctic regions to give early warning of aircraft or missile attack on North America

Word History and Origins

Origin of DEW line¹

First recorded in 1955–60; D(istant) E(arly) W(arning)