sonic boom

noun

: a sound resembling an explosion produced when a shock wave formed at the nose of an aircraft traveling at supersonic speed reaches the ground

called also sonic bang

Examples of sonic boom in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web
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Over 200 witness reports were filed with the American Meteor Society after a daylight meteor caused a sonic boom that was audible throughout Ohio and Pennsylvania. Janet Loehrke, USA Today, 28 Mar. 2026 The massive fireball traveled at 35,000 mph and was accompanied by a loud sonic boom, according to NASA. Jamie Carter, Space.com, 27 Mar. 2026 SpaceX had warned ahead of launch that parts of Central Florida could experience one or more sonic booms. Richard Tribou, The Orlando Sentinel, 22 Mar. 2026 Bill Cooke, who leads NASA’s Meteoroid Environment Office, told NBC News at the time that the fireball and sonic booms were likely caused by a small, 7-ton asteroid measuring around 6 feet across. Jesse Kirsch, NBC news, 22 Mar. 2026 See All Example Sentences for sonic boom

Word History

First Known Use

1952, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of sonic boom was in 1952

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Cite this Entry

“Sonic boom.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/sonic%20boom. Accessed 2 Apr. 2026.

Kids Definition

sonic boom

noun
: a sound like that of an explosion produced when a shock wave formed at the nose of an aircraft traveling at supersonic speed reaches the ground

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