Hydrophone: meaning, definitions and examples

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hydrophone

 

[ ˈhaɪdroʊfoʊn ]

Noun
Context #1 | Noun

oceanography technology

A hydrophone is an underwater microphone used to detect and record sound in aquatic environments. Typically employed in oceanographic research, hydrophones can capture sounds from marine life, geological activity, and human-made sources. This technology is crucial for studying the ocean, as sound travels more efficiently in water than in air. Hydrophones can be used for various applications, including monitoring marine mammal behavior and assessing environmental impact. Often, multiple hydrophones are deployed in array setups to triangulate sound sources.

Synonyms

submarine microphone, underwater microphone

Examples of usage

  • The researchers deployed several hydrophones to monitor whale calls.
  • Hydrophones are essential tools for studying underwater acoustics.
  • Using hydrophones, scientists recorded the sounds of underwater volcanic activity.

Translations

Translations of the word "hydrophone" in other languages:

🇵🇹 hidrofone

🇮🇳 हाइड्रोफोन

🇩🇪 Hydrofon

🇮🇩 hidrofon

🇺🇦 гідрофон

🇵🇱 hydrofon

🇯🇵 水中マイク

🇫🇷 hydrophone

🇪🇸 hidrófono

🇹🇷 hidrofon

🇰🇷 수중 마이크

🇸🇦 ميكروفون تحت الماء

🇨🇿 hydrofon

🇸🇰 hydrofon

🇨🇳 水下麦克风

🇸🇮 hidrofon

🇮🇸 vötnunarmíkrófón

🇰🇿 гидрофон

🇬🇪 ჰიდროფონი

🇦🇿 hidrofon

🇲🇽 hidrófono

Etymology

The term 'hydrophone' derives from the combination of 'hydro-', a prefix meaning 'water', and '-phone', a suffix indicating sound or voice. The word's origins can be traced back to the early 20th century when advances in underwater acoustics prompted the need for specialized equipment to record and analyze sound in marine environments. As the fields of oceanography and marine biology evolved, so did the technology surrounding hydrophones, leading to more sophisticated designs capable of capturing a wider range of frequencies and improving sound quality. Today, hydrophones play a vital role in various scientific studies, including those focused on ocean noise pollution, animal communication, and geophysical research.

Word Frequency Rank

This word's position of #31,995 indicates it's among the more rare English words. While understanding it broadens your vocabulary, focus on more common words first.