echolocation
noun
echo·lo·ca·tion
ˌe-kō-lō-ˈkā-shən 
: a physiological process for locating distant or invisible objects (such as prey) by sound waves reflected back to the emitter (such as a bat) from the objects
Examples of echolocation in a Sentence
Recent Examples on the Web
Many species have evolved eardrum-like structures that can detect bat echolocation, which gives them escape options.
—
Ari Daniel, NPR, 22 May 2024
Some of the species are either too wary of people or fly too high for trapping, but acoustics equipment can pick up their echolocation chirps, and the computer is programmed to identify the sounds by species.
—Brandon Loomis, The Arizona Republic, 20 May 2024
It’s long been understood that the animals possess an ability — unique among whales — to visibly change the appearance of their heads by moving a lump on their foreheads known as a melon, which are used for echolocation.
—Brendan Rascius, Miami Herald, 2 May 2024
Swiftlets are fast-flying, insect-eating birds that can cover vast distances in a day, using echolocation to navigate in low-light environments.
—Muktita Suhartono Nyimas Laula, New York Times, 2 Apr. 2024
Residents hunt in large groups using echolocation, and transients hunt silently in small groups.
—Will Sullivan, Smithsonian Magazine, 29 Mar. 2024
Scientists use anatomical data, mathematical models, and behavioral experimental data to test echolocation and other hearing methods out in the wild.
—Sofia Quaglia, Discover Magazine, 27 Dec. 2023
Although echolocation is closely associated with hunting, toothed whales use whistles and clicks to communicate with each other.
—Allison Futterman, Discover Magazine, 17 Jan. 2024
Bottlenose dolphins hunt prey using their keen eyesight, hearing and a sonar system known as echolocation.
—Margaret Osborne, Smithsonian Magazine, 1 Dec. 2023
Ari Daniel, NPR, 22 May 2024
Some of the species are either too wary of people or fly too high for trapping, but acoustics equipment can pick up their echolocation chirps, and the computer is programmed to identify the sounds by species.
—Brandon Loomis, The Arizona Republic, 20 May 2024
It’s long been understood that the animals possess an ability — unique among whales — to visibly change the appearance of their heads by moving a lump on their foreheads known as a melon, which are used for echolocation.
—Brendan Rascius, Miami Herald, 2 May 2024
Swiftlets are fast-flying, insect-eating birds that can cover vast distances in a day, using echolocation to navigate in low-light environments.
—Muktita Suhartono Nyimas Laula, New York Times, 2 Apr. 2024
Residents hunt in large groups using echolocation, and transients hunt silently in small groups.
—Will Sullivan, Smithsonian Magazine, 29 Mar. 2024
Scientists use anatomical data, mathematical models, and behavioral experimental data to test echolocation and other hearing methods out in the wild.
—Sofia Quaglia, Discover Magazine, 27 Dec. 2023
Although echolocation is closely associated with hunting, toothed whales use whistles and clicks to communicate with each other.
—Allison Futterman, Discover Magazine, 17 Jan. 2024
Bottlenose dolphins hunt prey using their keen eyesight, hearing and a sonar system known as echolocation.
—Margaret Osborne, Smithsonian Magazine, 1 Dec. 2023
These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'echolocation.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.
Dictionary Entries Near echolocation
Cite this Entry
“Echolocation.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/echolocation. Accessed 28 May. 2024.
Copy CitationKids Definition
echolocation
noun
echo·lo·ca·tion
ˌek-ō-lō-ˈkā-shən
: a process for locating distant or invisible objects by means of sound waves reflected back to the sender from the objects
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