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

Among the weapons systems reportedly featured were Russia’s Yars intercontinental ballistic missile system and hypersonic missiles such as the Kinzhal and Zircon. —Prabhat Ranjan Mishra, Interesting Engineering, 22 May 2026

Scores of former SpaceX employees have launched startups in Southern California, including rocket company Relativity Space, hypersonic missile startup Castelion and satellite manufacturer Apex Space. —Los Angeles Times, 20 May 2026

The hypersonic missiles will probably be fine—just don’t stress about it. —Caroline Rose Giuliani, New Yorker, 19 May 2026

But don’t forget about those pesky micrometeorites—pebble-size rocks that move like hypersonic bullets. —Robin George Andrews, Scientific American, 19 May 2026

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