lidar

American  

[lahy-dahr] / ˈlaɪ dɑr /

Or LIDAR

noun

Electronics, Optics.

1. a device similar to radar in principle and operation but using infrared laser light instead of radio waves and capable of detecting particles, distant objects, and varying physical conditions in the atmosphere.

---

lidar Scientific  

/ lī′där /

1. A method of detecting distant objects and determining their position, velocity, or other characteristics by analysis of pulsed laser light reflected from their surfaces. Lidar operates on the same principles as radar and sonar.

2. The equipment used in such detection.

3. See also Doppler effect radar sonar

---

Etymology

Origin of lidar

1960–65; li(ght ¹ ) + (ra)dar

---

Example Sentences

See Examples For:

lidar

The driverless tractor-trailers rely on several cameras and sensors mounted at the front and sides that include radar and lidar equipment to help determine what’s on the road.

From The Wall Street Journal ● Oct. 17, 2026

Pyka has used lidar from the outset to detect trees, vehicles, large birds and terrain.

From BBC ● Sep. 1, 2026

Waymo’s self-driving vehicles, which utilize cameras, sensors and lidar, have driven more than 220 million fully autonomous miles.

From Los Angeles Times ● Aug. 14, 2026

However, conventional lidar sensors are often large and costly, and many rely on moving components that can wear out over time.

From Science Daily ● Jul. 22, 2026

There are many other important active sensor classes, three of which are active acoustics, lidar and magnetic anomaly detectors.

From Shock and Awe — Achieving Rapid Dominance by James P. Wade

Random Word

Spin the wheel and learn a new word!

---