Definition
A small, bright spot of light on a radar or oscilloscope screen that represents the return signal from a detected object, such as an aircraft. Each blip indicates the position of a target relative to the radar antenna at the moment the signal was reflected back.
Plain English
A small dot or flash of light on a radar screen that shows where an aircraft or other object is.
Context Anchor
Used when looking at or talking about radar displays, especially in air traffic control, cockpit traffic displays, and weather radar discussions.
Derivation
From the short, sharp sound or movement the word imitates -- a quick, brief mark. The word was adopted for radar because each return signal appears as a brief spot of light that flashes onto the screen.
Why Pilots Care
Although modern displays show aircraft as data tags rather than raw blips, the term is still used in conversation about radar contacts. Understanding what a blip represents helps when reading older texts or hearing controllers describe primary radar returns.
Intuition Check
Do not read blip as just “a small problem” or “a brief event.” In aviation radar use, a blip is a visible mark on a display that represents something detected.
Example Sentence 1
The controller watched a small blip appear on the radar screen as the aircraft entered the airspace.
Example Sentence 2
A faint blip appeared on the weather radar indicating distant precipitation.