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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In late May, in broad daylight, residents across Massachusetts and beyond saw a brilliant flash in the sky, followed by two sonic booms that rattled windows, shook houses, and prompted a flood of 911 calls. Govert Schilling, Scientific American, 27 June 2026 In conversation with Holte, Brandenburg explained technical aspects of supersonic flight, including how specific atmospheric conditions can limit sonic boom effects on the ground. Chris Young, Interesting Engineering, 22 June 2026 The first-stage booster flew for the seventh time, and made a recovery landing at Landing Zone 40 (LZ-40), which meant Central Florida was in store for a sonic boom. Richard Tribou, The Orlando Sentinel, 17 June 2026 Residents along the Massachusetts–New Hampshire border were startled by a sudden sonic boom on the afternoon of May 30, 2026. Shawn Laatsch, The Conversation, 15 June 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 29 Jun. 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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