transponder

noun

tran·spon·der tran(t)-ˈspän-dər

: a radio or radar set that upon receiving a designated signal emits a radio signal of its own and that is used especially for the detection, identification, and location of objects and in satellites for relaying communications signals

Did you know?

This word was coined during World War II by simply joining pieces of the words transmitter and responder. Transponders are basic to modern aviation and communications satellites, and they're finding new uses in fields such as medicine as well. But they're now also part of everyday life. The "E-ZPass" that lets you drive right through turnpike tollbooths is a transponder, and the car you're driving may not even start unless it recognizes the signal from your personal key's transponder. In a big crowded foot race, you may carry a tiny transponder on your shoe that records when you cross both the starting line and the finish line.

Examples of transponder in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

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Tolls could be even higher for those without transponders. —

Kristin J. Bender, The Mercury News, 25 Oct. 2024 ProPublica and The Oregonian/OregonLive used transponder records from a site called ADS-B Exchange to track flights by Nike’s jets. —

Rob Davis, ProPublica, 4 Oct. 2024 Iranian tankers are known for frequently switching off their transponders and manipulating their automatic identification system (AIS) in order to conceal their movements to skirt U.S. sanctions on the country’s oil exports. —

Natasha Turak, CNBC, 4 Oct. 2024 Lenovo’s response was to devise a system that used in-car transponders and a camera mounted above RCR’s pitbox to identify when a car has entered the box and begin a real-time videofeed. —

Jason Barlow, WIRED, 14 Aug. 2024 See all Example Sentences for transponder