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
The Orion capsule did not produce a sonic boom upon re-entry — disappointing spectators gathered at Sunset Cliffs and other spots along the San Diego coast.
—
Gary Robbins, San Diego Union-Tribune, 12 Apr. 2026
All three boosters were expended, so no sonic boom landings.
—Richard Tribou, The Orlando Sentinel, 11 Apr. 2026
Rocket launches are also very noisy affairs, which can, and do, create very large sonic booms during the launch.
—Christopher McFadden, Interesting Engineering, 11 Apr. 2026
When that pressure suddenly releases, it is heard as a sonic boom.
—Tom Costello, NBC news, 10 Apr. 2026
See All Example Sentences for sonic boom
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Gary Robbins, San Diego Union-Tribune, 12 Apr. 2026
All three boosters were expended, so no sonic boom landings.
—Richard Tribou, The Orlando Sentinel, 11 Apr. 2026
Rocket launches are also very noisy affairs, which can, and do, create very large sonic booms during the launch.
—Christopher McFadden, Interesting Engineering, 11 Apr. 2026
When that pressure suddenly releases, it is heard as a sonic boom.
—Tom Costello, NBC news, 10 Apr. 2026
See All Example Sentences for sonic boom
Cite this Entry
“Sonic boom.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/sonic%20boom. Accessed 17 Apr. 2026.
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