transponder

or tran·spon·dor

[ tran-spon-der ]
/ trænˈspɒn dər /

noun

a radio, radar, or sonar transceiver that automatically transmits a signal upon reception of a designated incoming signal.

Origin of transponder

First recorded in 1940–45; trans(mitter) + (res)ponder

Words nearby transponder

transplant, transplantation, transplantation antigen, transplantee, transpolar, transponder, transponible, transpontine, transport, transport café, transport maximum

Example sentences from the Web for transponder

British Dictionary definitions for transponder

transponder

transpondor

/ (trænˈspɒndə) /

noun

a type of radio or radar transmitter-receiver that transmits signals automatically when it receives predetermined signals
the receiver and transmitter in a communications or broadcast satellite, relaying received signals back to earth

Word Origin for transponder

C20: from transmitter + responder

Scientific definitions for transponder

transponder
[ trăn-spŏn′dər ]

A radio or radar transmitter and receiver that responds to an incoming signal either by broadcasting its own predetermined signal (as in aircraft identification systems) or by relaying the incoming signal at a different frequency (as in satellite communications).