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
Examples of hypersonic in a Sentence
Recent Examples on the Web
By making a gun that can shoot projectiles that fly faster than hypersonic missiles fly, a railgun could possibly be a tool that can shoot down such weapons.
—
Kelsey D. Atherton, Popular Science, 1 Nov. 2023
Those hypersonic missiles can reach the United States of America today.
—Mabinty Quarshie, Washington Examiner, 23 Oct. 2023
The vaunted China model—the mix of liberalization and state control that generated the country’s hypersonic growth—has entered its death throes.
—Michael Schuman, The Atlantic, 7 Sep. 2023
The hypersonic tubes which will be installed on the Zumwalt will each old three Common Hypersonic Glide Bodies (C-HGB), which are being developed jointly between the Navy and the U.S. Army, according to the U.S. Naval Institute.
—Warren Kulo | Wkulo@al.com, al, 30 Aug. 2023
The team then tested a prototype glider in the University of Tokyo’s hypersonic wind tunnel, subjecting the plane to speeds as high as Mach 7 and temperatures of almost 450°F—conditions similar to those a paper plane might face when reentering Earth’s atmosphere.
—Sarah Wells, Popular Mechanics, 9 Aug. 2023
From a more powerful intercontinental ballistic missile to hypersonic ones, North Korea has been displaying new weapons alongside its nuclear bombs and submarines.
—Dasl Yoon, WSJ, 7 Aug. 2023
Venus Aerospace’s hypersonic Stargazer plane, for instance, will reportedly be able to fly at Mach 9 (nine times the speed of sound) or roughly 6,905 mph to get you from New York to Tokyo in one hour.
—Rachel Cormack, Robb Report, 15 May 2023
One of the motivations for building this satellite network is the development of faster-moving hypersonic missiles, which China and the US have both tested over the past couple of years.
—Ramin Skibba, WIRED, 14 Aug. 2023
See More
Kelsey D. Atherton, Popular Science, 1 Nov. 2023
Those hypersonic missiles can reach the United States of America today.
—Mabinty Quarshie, Washington Examiner, 23 Oct. 2023
The vaunted China model—the mix of liberalization and state control that generated the country’s hypersonic growth—has entered its death throes.
—Michael Schuman, The Atlantic, 7 Sep. 2023
The hypersonic tubes which will be installed on the Zumwalt will each old three Common Hypersonic Glide Bodies (C-HGB), which are being developed jointly between the Navy and the U.S. Army, according to the U.S. Naval Institute.
—Warren Kulo | Wkulo@al.com, al, 30 Aug. 2023
The team then tested a prototype glider in the University of Tokyo’s hypersonic wind tunnel, subjecting the plane to speeds as high as Mach 7 and temperatures of almost 450°F—conditions similar to those a paper plane might face when reentering Earth’s atmosphere.
—Sarah Wells, Popular Mechanics, 9 Aug. 2023
From a more powerful intercontinental ballistic missile to hypersonic ones, North Korea has been displaying new weapons alongside its nuclear bombs and submarines.
—Dasl Yoon, WSJ, 7 Aug. 2023
Venus Aerospace’s hypersonic Stargazer plane, for instance, will reportedly be able to fly at Mach 9 (nine times the speed of sound) or roughly 6,905 mph to get you from New York to Tokyo in one hour.
—Rachel Cormack, Robb Report, 15 May 2023
One of the motivations for building this satellite network is the development of faster-moving hypersonic missiles, which China and the US have both tested over the past couple of years.
—Ramin Skibba, WIRED, 14 Aug. 2023
See More
These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'hypersonic.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.
Word History
Etymology
International Scientific Vocabulary
First Known Use
1946, in the meaning defined at sense 1
Dictionary Entries Near hypersonic
Cite this Entry
“Hypersonic.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/hypersonic. Accessed 28 Nov. 2023.
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