lidar
UK[ˈlaɪ.dɑː]US[ˈlaɪ.dɑːr]
n
A method for detecting the distance, speed, or other characteristics of a distant object by analyzing the reflection of a laser beam.
n
A device or system that uses this method.
Etymology
Lidar is a modern portmanteau, a blend of the words "light" and "radar." It was coined in the early 1960s to describe a new technology analogous to radar but using light from lasers instead of radio waves. The term follows the same logical construction as its predecessor, with "li-" representing "light" and "-dar" standing for "detection and ranging," directly borrowed from the acronym RADAR (RAdio Detection And Ranging). This formation illustrates a common pattern in technological English where a core concept (detection and ranging) is repurposed with a new modifying element to specify the medium used.
Analysis
N/A
Examples
The autonomous vehicle uses lidar to create a detailed 3D map of its surroundings.
Archaeologists employed airborne lidar to reveal ancient structures hidden beneath the jungle canopy.
The accuracy of the topographic survey was greatly enhanced by lidar technology.