Lidar
//ˈlaɪdɑɹ// noun
noun ·Uncommon ·Advanced level
Definitions
Noun
- 1 The optical analogue of radar, using intense pulses of laser light to measure the composition and structure of the atmosphere. uncountable, usually
"Tesla bet on the idea that in the design of self-driving cars, lidar doesn't add enough capability, beyond what the cameras already provide, to be worth the additional cost."
- 2 Acronym of light detection and ranging. abbreviation, acronym, alt-of
- 3 Alternative form of LIDAR. alt-of, alternative
- 4 a measuring system that detects and locates objects on the same principle as radar but uses light from a laser; a potential technology for detecting air turbulence that can affect aircraft wordnet
- 5 A device that provides such imaging. countable
"There's a lidar mounted on the roof of that Waymo."
Example
More examples"Lidar is revolutionising archaeology."
Etymology
Etymology 1
By anacronymic evolution from LIDAR.
Etymology 2
Acronym of light detection and ranging. Synchronically also analyzable as blend of light + radar. The lowercase form (lidar) is by anacronymic evolution.
Related phrases
More for "lidar"
Data sourced from Wiktionary, WordNet, CMU, and other open linguistic databases. Updated March 2026.