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 Indiana National Guard didn’t return an email seeking comment about whether there was air activity in the area that could have been connected to the sonic boom-like noise. — Jim Woods, Chicago Tribune, 17 July 2026

Also of concern has been its sonic boom potential during both booster landings and upper stage Starship return-to-launch-site flights that would bring it across Central Florida similar to how the space shuttle used to land back at KSC. — Richard Tribou, The Orlando Sentinel, 16 July 2026

Two years ago on July 16, 2024 in the middle of the afternoon, a sonic boom shook New York City as a fireball streaked through the sky. — Chelsea Gohd, Space.com, 15 July 2026

With breaking the sound barrier comes a sonic boom, a massive noise disturbance that led the FAA to ban supersonic flight over land in the first place. — Nicole Hoey, Robb Report, 6 July 2026

Word History

First Known Use

1952, in the meaning defined above

Rhymes for sonic boom

• anteroom
• assume
• backroom
• ballroom
• barroom
• bathroom
• bedroom
• boardroom
• bridegroom
• classroom
• cloakroom
• consume

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