echo sounders

Meanings

1. 1nounpluraltechnical

   Devices that send sound waves down through water and measure the returning echo to find the depth or to locate fish.

   Grammar: Plural noun: use it with a plural verb. For one device, say 'an echo sounder'.

   Patterns

   • use echo sounders
   • echo sounders measure something

   The crew used echo sounders to check the depth before anchoring.

   Modern echo sounders can show individual fish on a screen.

   Echo sounders work by timing how long the sound takes to bounce back.

2. 2nounpluraltechnical

   The plural form of 'echo sounder', meaning more than one such device.

   Grammar: This is simply the plural; the singular 'echo sounder' refers to one unit.

   Patterns

   • two echo sounders
   • a pair of echo sounders

   The research ship carries several echo sounders for different depths.

   Both echo sounders were calibrated before the survey.

Word forms

Common combinations

use echo sounders

Fishermen use echo sounders to find schools of fish.

echo sounders measure depth

Echo sounders measure depth by timing sound pulses.

a screen on the echo sounder

The echo sounder showed a large shape near the bottom.

Synonyms and how they differ

sonar

A broader term for sound-based detection, often used for military or scientific systems; 'echo sounders' usually refers to depth-finding equipment on boats.

depth finder

A simpler everyday term for a device that measures water depth; it may not show fish.

Word family

echo sounder noun

The singular form: one device.

echo sounding noun

The method or process of using sound waves to measure depth.

Practice

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