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

Andrew Kolvet, who has been hosting Kirk’s show since his death, wrote in a post on X that there was growing urgency in Washington, including among anti-war voices, over reports that Iran may have been pursuing dirty bombs and seeking hypersonic weapons from China. —Samantha-Jo Roth, The Washington Examiner, 3 Mar. 2026

The exact missile type remains unclear, raising questions about whether Iran is trialing medium-range ballistic missiles (MRBMs) with maneuverable or hypersonic capabilities. —Sujita Sinha, Interesting Engineering, 3 Mar. 2026

Payloads included two satellites for the Missile Defense Agency to track hypersonic missiles and four more satellites for the Tranche 0 constellation for the Space Development Agency. —Richard Tribou, The Orlando Sentinel, 2 Mar. 2026

As Tom Cruise climbed to the edge of the atmosphere at hypersonic speeds, Fields pointed at the edges of the plane’s black metal, which glowed orange. —Sasha Richie, Dallas Morning News, 27 Feb. 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