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

Because the chase plane that accompanies the X-59 causes sonic booms of its own, any noise the X-59 has made (or not made) has so far been masked. — Eric Lagatta, USA Today, 9 Sep. 2026

That’s not so much the sight of the booster relighting on the way down—what will look like a pinprick of flame in the sky—but the series of sonic booms each generates. — Rob Pegoraro, PC Magazine, 8 Sep. 2026

The launch is expected to create a sonic boom and may be visible as far north as Jacksonville Beach. — Lianna Norman, Florida Times-Union, 28 Aug. 2026

SpaceX is set to launch eight satellites responsible for emergency SOS alerts on Saturday night and attempt a land recovery of the rocket’s booster that could bring a sonic boom to Central Florida. — Richard Tribou, The Orlando Sentinel, 15 Aug. 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