homing device: meaning, definition, pronunciation and examples
C1Technical, journalistic
Quick answer
What does “homing device” mean?
A small electronic object that transmits a signal to enable something to be located or to return to a specific place.
Audio
Pronunciation
Definition
Meaning and Definition
A small electronic object that transmits a signal to enable something to be located or to return to a specific place.
Any mechanism, biological or technological, that guides something towards a target or place of origin.
Dialectal Variation
British vs American Usage
Differences
No significant lexical differences; concept is identical.
Connotations
Strongly associated with espionage, wildlife tracking, and pet/asset recovery in both varieties.
Frequency
Comparably low-frequency in general use but standard in technical and thriller/spy genres.
Grammar
How to Use “homing device” in a Sentence
plant a homing device on [OBJECT]track [OBJECT] via a homing device[OBJECT] is fitted with a homing deviceVocabulary
Collocations
Examples
Examples of “homing device” in a Sentence
verb
British English
- The agents were homing in on the signal.
American English
- The missile is homing in on its target.
adjective
British English
- They used a homing pigeon to deliver the message.
American English
- The vehicle has homing capabilities.
Usage
Meaning in Context
Business
Rare; might be used in logistics or security contexts for asset tracking.
Academic
Used in biology (animal tracking), engineering, and surveillance studies.
Everyday
Mostly in news stories about espionage, missing pets, or stolen vehicle recovery.
Technical
Standard term in surveillance, wildlife biology, and navigation technology.
Vocabulary
Synonyms of “homing device”
Vocabulary
Antonyms of “homing device”
Watch out
Common Mistakes When Using “homing device”
- Using 'homing' as a noun (e.g., 'They put a homing on the car' – incorrect). Confusing with 'home device' (smart home appliance).
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
Not exactly. A GPS is one type of technology that can function as a homing device. A homing device can use other signals (radio, ultrasonic) to guide something home.
Yes, figuratively. Animals like pigeons have a natural 'homing instinct' that acts like a biological homing device, allowing them to navigate over long distances.
Neutral in technical use. It can have negative connotations in contexts of unauthorised surveillance (spying) or positive ones in contexts of safety and recovery (finding lost pets).
They are often synonymous. 'Homing device' can emphasize the 'return to base/point of origin' function, while 'tracking device' emphasizes continuous location monitoring. In practice, they are used interchangeably.
A small electronic object that transmits a signal to enable something to be located or to return to a specific place.
Homing device is usually technical, journalistic in register.
Homing device: in British English it is pronounced /ˈhəʊmɪŋ dɪˈvaɪs/, and in American English it is pronounced /ˈhoʊmɪŋ dɪˈvaɪs/. Tap the audio buttons above to hear it.
Phrases
Idioms & Phrases
- “[Not applicable for this compound noun; no common idioms use this exact phrase.]”
Learning
Memory Aids
Mnemonic
Think of 'HOME-ing' – it's a device that helps something find its way HOME.
Conceptual Metaphor
A technological umbilical cord; an artificial sense of direction.
Practice
Quiz
In which context would the term 'homing device' be LEAST appropriate?