echolocation
ek-oh-loh-KAY-shun
/ˌek.oʊ.loʊˈkeɪ.ʃən/
The location of objects by reflected sound, used by certain animals such as bats and cetaceans, and in sonar devices.
Combines active sound emission with cognitive mapping based on returning echo timing and frequency shifts.
The story behind the word. Coined in 1944 by American zoologist Donald Griffin. He combined Greek 'echo' (nymph of repeating sound) with Latin 'locatio' (a placing) to describe how bats navigate total darkness by emitting high-pitch sound pulses.
Word relationships
- biosonar: 'Biosonar' refers specifically to biological systems, whereas 'echolocation' can describe both animal navigation and artificial systems.
- vision: Vision relies on electromagnetic light waves, whereas echolocation relies on reflected acoustic waves.
Commonly confused with
- sonar: Sonar is the man-made technological apparatus, whereas echolocation encompasses both natural animal navigation and general sound mapping.
Word family
- echolocate (verb): To navigate or find objects using reflected sound.
Collocations
- use echolocation
- biological echolocation
- echolocation clicks
- echolocation pulses
Example sentences
- "Dolphins rely on echolocation to detect prey in murky coastal waters where visibility is near zero." Marine Biology
- "Some blind individuals train themselves in human echolocation by clicking their tongues to navigate urban spaces." Neuroscience
Memory hook
ECHO + LOCATION = finding your LOCATION using an ECHO. ECHOLOCATION maps space with echoes.
When not to use
Do not confuse with passive hearing, which merely receives ambient environmental sound.
Fun facts
- Some moth species have evolved ultrasonic jammer calls specifically designed to confuse bat echolocation during night chases.
Related words
Explore more words
cognitive, auditory, reflection, nocturnal, bathymetry, Navigation
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