Organism Function
echolocation Audio
ech·o·lo·ca·tion [ ek-oh-loh-key-shuhn ]
Subclass of:
Animal Communication
Definitions related to echolocation:
  • An auditory orientation mechanism involving the emission of high frequency sounds which are reflected back to the emitter (animal).
    NLM Medical Subject Headings
    U.S. National Library of Medicine, 2025
  • Echolocation is the method used by some animals (e.g. bats, dolphins and some whales) to determine the location of something by measuring the time it takes for an echo to return from it. These animals emit sound waves and listen for the echo, calculating the distance to the object from the time lapse between sound emission and the echo returning.
    Gene Ontology Dictionary
    Gene Ontology Consortium, 2021
  • Echolocation, a physiological process for locating distant or invisible objects (such as prey) by means of sound waves reflected back to the emitter (such as a bat) by the objects. Echolocation is used for orientation, obstacle avoidance, food procurement, and social interactions. Echolocation is...
    Encyclopedia Britannica
    Encyclopedia Britannica, Inc., 2025
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