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 Ukrainian air force reported weapons from all across Moscow’s arsenal, including Geran suicide drones, Iskander ballistic missiles, Kalibr cruise missiles, and Kinzhal hypersonic missiles. —Brady Knox, The Washington Examiner, 29 June 2025

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, 29 June 2025

Israel is running low on its supply of Arrow missile interceptors as Iran has increased its fire toward the country with two hypersonic missile barrages Tuesday night. —Ellen Mitchell, The Hill, 18 June 2025

Russia has fired hypersonic missiles against Ukraine in the ongoing conflict. —Iain Boyd, Space.com, 9 June 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