subsonic
adjective
sub·son·ic
ˌsəb-ˈsä-nik 
1
: of, relating to, or being a speed less than that of sound in air
2
: moving, capable of moving, or utilizing air currents moving at a subsonic speed
Examples of subsonic in a Sentence
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The acquisition is an enormous upgrade—both quantitatively and qualitatively—for the country’s air force, which hitherto relied on just over a dozen aged MiG-29 Fulcrum fighters and subsonic Su-25 Frogfoot attack planes.
—
Paul Iddon, Forbes.com, 8 June 2025
Another estimate from the nonprofit International Council on Clean Transportation puts the Overture’s fuel burn at five- to- seven-times that of a subsonic long-haul jet.
—Edward Russell, CNN Money, 5 June 2025
Its uncrewed subsonic Quarterhorse Mark 1 prototype has completed its maiden flight in the skies over Edwards Air Force Base in California on May 21, 2025.
—David Szondy
may 31, New Atlas, 31 May 2025
The tricky bit is controlling the air intake, with a conical inner body that adjusts the shock waves and slows down the airflow to subsonic speeds, otherwise the engine would burst or melt.
—David Szondy
may 25, New Atlas, 25 May 2025
See All Example Sentences for subsonic
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Paul Iddon, Forbes.com, 8 June 2025
Another estimate from the nonprofit International Council on Clean Transportation puts the Overture’s fuel burn at five- to- seven-times that of a subsonic long-haul jet.
—Edward Russell, CNN Money, 5 June 2025
Its uncrewed subsonic Quarterhorse Mark 1 prototype has completed its maiden flight in the skies over Edwards Air Force Base in California on May 21, 2025.
—David Szondy
may 31, New Atlas, 31 May 2025
The tricky bit is controlling the air intake, with a conical inner body that adjusts the shock waves and slows down the airflow to subsonic speeds, otherwise the engine would burst or melt.
—David Szondy
may 25, New Atlas, 25 May 2025
See All Example Sentences for subsonic
Cite this Entry
“Subsonic.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/subsonic. Accessed 12 Jun. 2025.
Copy CitationKids Definition
subsonic
adjective
sub·son·ic
ˌsəb-ˈsän-ik
ˈsəb-
1
: of, relating to, or being a speed less than that of sound in air
2
: moving, capable of moving, or using air currents moving at a subsonic speed
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