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 system, which entered U.S. service in the 1980s, has even been able to shoot down Russian hypersonic missiles. —David Brennan, ABC News, 19 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, 18 June 2025

In early May, the rebel group launched a hypersonic ballistic missile at Ben-Gurion International Airport, the main airport in Israel, and now reportedly plan to target commercial aircraft as well. —Zach Lachance, The Washington Examiner, 15 June 2025

Intercepting hypersonic missiles specifically involves several steps. —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