hypersonic

adjective

hy·​per·​son·​ic ˌhī-pər-ˈsä-nik How to pronounce hypersonic (audio)
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 adverb

Examples of hypersonic in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
Japan is moving forward with new cruise missiles and hypersonic weapons designed to strike targets from outside enemy range. Kapil Kajal, Interesting Engineering, 26 Dec. 2025 The missiles would be hypersonic – more than five times the speed of sound – and maneuverable to confuse enemy defenses. Brad Lendon, CNN Money, 23 Dec. 2025 Beijing already operates thousands of high-end ballistic, hypersonic, and cruise missiles that would be used to strike U.S. forward bases, aircraft carriers, tanker aircraft, and other key large assets. Justin Bronk, Foreign Affairs, 15 Dec. 2025 The Comprehensive Outbound Investment National Security Act would give the administration the ability to block investments in key technologies like semiconductors, microelectronics, AI, quantum, high-performance computing and supercomputing and hypersonic systems. Julia Shapero, The Hill, 9 Dec. 2025 See All Example Sentences for hypersonic

Word History

Etymology

International Scientific Vocabulary

First Known Use

1946, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Time Traveler
The first known use of hypersonic was in 1946

Browse Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Hypersonic.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/hypersonic. Accessed 30 Dec. 2025.

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
Love words? Need even more definitions?

Subscribe to America's largest dictionary and get thousands more definitions and advanced search—ad free!