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

Saturday when Russian forces launched dozens of missiles, including Kinzhal hypersonic missiles. —Brendan Cole, MSNBC Newsweek, 29 Nov. 2025

Three of them, the YJ-17, YJ-19, and YJ-20, are hypersonic systems designed to maneuver at extreme speeds, complicating detection and interception by naval defenses. —Kapil Kajal, Interesting Engineering, 28 Nov. 2025

Rocket Lab launched its hypersonic test vehicle for the sixth time ever this week. —Mike Wall, Space.com, 19 Nov. 2025

Russia used the hypersonic Oreshnik in a strike on the Ukrainian region of Dnipro in November 2024 – the first time in history an intermediate-range ballistic missile has been used in battle. —Christian Edwards, CNN Money, 4 Nov. 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