echolocation

American  

[ek-oh-loh-key-shuhn] / ˌɛk oʊ loʊˈkeɪ ʃən /

noun

1. the general method of locating objects by determining the time for an echo to return and the direction from which it returns, as by radar or sonar.

2. Zoology. the sonarlike system used by dolphins, bats, and other animals to detect and locate objects by emitting usually high-pitched sounds that reflect off the object and return to the animal's ears or other sensory receptors.

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echolocation British  

/ ˌɛkəʊləʊˈkeɪʃən /

noun

1. determination of the position of an object by measuring the time taken for an echo to return from it and its direction

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echolocation Scientific  

/ ĕk′ō-lō-kā′shən /

1. Sonar, especially of animals, such as bats and toothed whales.

2. See more at sonar

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Etymology

Origin of echolocation

First recorded in 1940–45; echo + location

Example Sentences

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

Dolphins, porpoises, and certain types of whales use echolocation to navigate the ocean.

From Literature

Their success depends on powerful, low-frequency echolocation calls that can detect birds at long distances.

From Science Daily

Movement and sound data showed that the bats used a combination of hearing, sight, and echolocation.

From Science Daily

Nearly blind, they rely on echolocation - high-pitched sound pulses that bounce off objects and return as echoes - to navigate murky waters.

From BBC