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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Abrupt changes can amplify wave drag and steepen the shock signature, so this smoothing also assists in mitigating the sonic boom. Kapil Kajal, Interesting Engineering, 28 Aug. 2025 The descent was visible to spectators onshore and was accompanied by a double sonic boom. Stephen Clark, ArsTechnica, 27 Aug. 2025 The first-stage booster is making its sixth trip to space and will aim for a recovery at Cape Canaveral Space Force Station’s Landing Zone 2, which means parts of Central Florida could be in store to hear one or more late-night sonic booms. Richard Tribou, The Orlando Sentinel, 21 Aug. 2025 Launches from Vandenberg in Santa Barbara County typically take place in the evenings to minimize disturbances to residents from effects like sonic booms. Eric Lagatta, AZCentral.com, 21 Aug. 2025 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 9 Sep. 2025.

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

More from Merriam-Webster on sonic boom

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