sonic boom

noun

Updated on: 16 Apr 2018

Definition of sonic boom

: 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

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Recent Examples of sonic boom from the Web

Called the Low Boom Flight Demonstrator, the plane aims to achieve what its name suggests: reduce the ear-splitting, sonic boom that occurs when a plane breaks the sound barrier.

— alex stuckey, San Antonio Express-News, "NASA plans supersonic jet that could cut commercial flight times in half," 12 Apr. 2018
And no—there won't be a sonic boom if the hyperloop reaches this speed, since that won't be the speed of sound at the low pressure inside of the tube.

— rhett allain, WIRED, "How Many G's Will the Hyperloop Pull in Its Next Test?," 10 Apr. 2018
There was the window-rattling sonic boom produced by successful flights, which precluded airlines from scheduling overland routes.

— mark ellwood, WSJ, "Supersonic Flight Prepares for Takeoff (Again)," 4 Apr. 2018
Lockheed Martin Skunk Works has won a $247.5-million contract to build an X-plane for NASA that will be capable of flying at supersonic speeds without generating such a loud sonic boom.

— samantha masunaga, latimes.com, "Lockheed Martin wins $248-million contract to build NASA supersonic X-plane," 3 Apr. 2018
Heralded by dual sonic booms that thundered across Cape Canaveral, both boosters touched down about eight minutes after liftoff.

— william harwood, CBS News, "SpaceX Falcon Heavy launch puts on spectacular show in maiden flight," 6 Feb. 2018
The sonic boom, which was heard as far away as Portland, came moments later.

— kale williams, OregonLive.com, "Mysterious flash in the sky, sonic boom likely a meteor," 8 Mar. 2018
More like Lucy Pearl, or me kinda reaching back to my Sly & The Family Stone roots, but at the same time still sonic boom.

— steven j. horowitz, Billboard, "Raphael Saadiq on Collaborating With Mary J. Blige on Oscar-Nominated 'Mighty River' and Joint Album With Ali Shaheed Muhammad," 20 Feb. 2018
The side-by-side touchdowns about eight minutes after liftoff unleashed powerful sonic booms.

— brett molina, USA TODAY, "A Tesla Roadster in orbit. A 'Starman' at the wheel. Why this incredible image has us excited about space exploration," 7 Feb. 2018

These example sentences are selected automatically from various online news sources to reflect current usage of the word 'sonic boom.' Views expressed in the examples do not represent the opinion of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.

First Known Use of sonic boom

1952

in the meaning defined above

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SONIC BOOM Defined for English Language Learners

sonic boom

noun

Definition of sonic boom for English Language Learners

: a very loud and explosive noise that is produced by an aircraft when it travels faster than the speed of sound

SONIC BOOM Defined for Kids

sonic boom

noun

Definition of sonic boom for Students

: a sound like an explosion that is made by an aircraft traveling faster than the speed of sound

Learn More about sonic boom

See words that rhyme with sonic boom Nglish: Translation of sonic boom for Spanish speakers Britannica.com: Encyclopedia article about sonic boom

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Definition of sonic boom

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