homing device

American  

noun

1. a mechanism incorporated into a guided missile, airplane, etc., that aims it toward its objective.

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Etymology

Origin of homing device

First recorded in 1930–35

Example Sentences

By modifying the CAR homing device to recognize markers found on brain tumors, astrocytes could potentially be redirected from clearing debris to directly destroying tumor cells.

From Science Daily • Mar. 11, 2026

They equipped astrocytes, a common type of brain cell, with a CAR homing device that allows the cells to latch onto specific targets and destroy them.

From Science Daily • Mar. 11, 2026

Peter Evans plays the trumpet like a homing device, a percussion instrument, a didgeridoo, or distant bird call.

From New York Times • Sep. 28, 2017

Finally it was established that Director Vidal was only testing out a compass�a radio "homing" device which, he thought, might revolutionize long-distance flying over water.

From Time Magazine Archive

If the burglars take great pains to steal what turns out to contain a homing device that leads the police to them, that’s ironic.

From "Woe Is I" by Patricia T. O'Conner