Definition
A radar circuit or processing technique that filters out returns from stationary objects (such as buildings, terrain, and ground clutter) so that only moving targets, like aircraft in flight, are displayed to the controller.
Plain English
A radar feature that hides things that aren't moving so the controller mainly sees aircraft that are flying, not the ground returns around them.
Context Anchor
Seen in air traffic control radar and surveillance discussions, especially where ground clutter could make moving aircraft harder to see.
Derivation
Plain English -- 'moving target' is the thing being detected (an aircraft in motion) and 'indicator' is the radar feature that points it out. The phrase describes exactly what the circuit does.
Why Pilots Care
It reduces false targets from ground returns, allowing controllers and pilots to identify actual aircraft more reliably.
Intuition Check
Do not read “target” as a weapon target. In this context, a target is simply something the radar detects and displays.
Example Sentence 1
The controller's scope uses a moving target indicator, so ground clutter from nearby hills doesn't obscure airborne traffic.
Example Sentence 2
With moving target indicator active, the radar clearly showed the helicopter crossing the approach path.