lidar

noun

li·​dar ˈlī-ˌdär How to pronounce lidar (audio)
: a device that is similar in operation to radar but emits pulsed laser light instead of microwaves

Examples of lidar in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
Duenas said that the lidar system will only record speeding cars, not every passing vehicle. — Kara Finnstrom, CBS News, 28 Aug. 2026 Its 13 cameras, four lidar units, six radar units and onboard computing perceive the road and perform the entire driving task. — Melinda Sheckells, HollywoodReporter, 27 Aug. 2026 Waymo’s self-driving vehicles, which utilize cameras, sensors and lidar, have driven more than 220 million fully autonomous miles. — Los Angeles Times, 14 Aug. 2026 Unlike conventional vehicles, robotaxis depend on dozens of interconnected electronic control units, high-speed networking, cloud connectivity, GPS, cameras, lidar, radar and AI models that continuously interpret the world around them. — Joshua Hong, Fortune, 13 Aug. 2026 See All Example Sentences for lidar

Word History

Etymology

light + radar

First Known Use

1963, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of lidar was in 1963

Rhymes for lidar

See All Rhymes for lidar

Browse Nearby Words

lid
lidar
lid cell
See all Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Lidar.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/lidar. Accessed 1 Sep. 2026.

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Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
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