DEW line

American  

[doo, dyoo] / du, dyu /

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.

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DEW line British  

/ 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

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Etymology

Origin of DEW line

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

Example Sentences

Protecting the flanks of North America are DEW line extensions far out to sea, maintained by relays of radar-equipped Navy destroyer escorts and WV2 Super Constellations.

From Time Magazine Archive

Gruening had heavy labor support, campaigned tirelessly, spoke clearly on all questions, personally claimed credit for statehood, the DEW line and the fight against tuberculosis among Alaska's natives.

From Time Magazine Archive

The new airways-modernization plan envisions a network of aerial highways controlled by 100 huge radar scanners much like those at military DEW line stations.

From Time Magazine Archive

California, in its customary DEW line position on U.S. trends, led the way in the past decade's educational pandering to student enthusiasms and taxpayers' tight pockets.

From Time Magazine Archive

On Thursday morning all broadcasts broke off to report that the DEW line of radars across Canada had reported objects in the air moving across the North Pole toward the United States.

From Long Ago, Far Away by Leinster, Murray