hypersonic

adjective

hy·​per·​son·​ic ˌhī-pər-ˈsä-nik 

1

: of or relating to speed five or more times that of sound in air compare sonic

2

: moving, capable of moving, or utilizing air currents that move at hypersonic speed

hypersonic wind tunnel

hypersonically

ˌhī-pər-ˈsä-ni-k(ə-)lē 

adverb

Examples of hypersonic in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

The Defense Department money supported research in fields including hypersonic technology, semiconductors, artificial intelligence, advanced materials and next-generation propulsion. —Didi Tang, Arkansas Online, 6 Sep. 2025

The Defense Department money supported research in fields including hypersonic technology, semiconductors, artificial intelligence, advanced materials and next-generation propulsion. —Didi Tang, Chicago Tribune, 5 Sep. 2025

This generates exponentially more kinetic energy on impact, allowing the interceptor to defeat ballistic missiles, cruise missiles, hypersonic weapons, and aircraft. —Kapil Kajal, Interesting Engineering, 4 Sep. 2025

During the parade, the Chinese military showed off its most advanced hardware, including stealth jets, tanks, anti-ship missiles, hypersonic missiles and drones. —Siladitya Ray, Forbes.com, 3 Sep. 2025

Word History

Etymology

International Scientific Vocabulary

First Known Use

1946, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Rhymes for hypersonic

• anharmonic
• anionic
• avionic
• catatonic
• cationic
• chorionic
• cosmogonic
• diachronic
• diatonic
• electronic
• embryonic
• excitonic