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

3

: infrasonic sense 1

subsonically

ˌsəb-ˈsä-ni-k(ə-)lē 

adverb

Examples of subsonic in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

In addition, subsonic takeoff and landing (TOL) noise also needs to meet today’s strict standards. —Kapil Kajal, Interesting Engineering, 28 Aug. 2025

The resultant supersonic ban, which slowed the Concorde to subsonic speeds, negated its edge over conventional jets. —Michael Verdon, Robb Report, 18 Aug. 2025

To date, Russia has only delivered Iran a small number of subsonic Yak-130 jet trainers. —Paul Iddon, Forbes.com, 10 Aug. 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

Word History

Etymology

International Scientific Vocabulary

First Known Use

1920, in the meaning defined at sense 3

Rhymes for subsonic

• atonic
• benthonic
• bionic
• bosonic
• bubonic
• canonic
• carbonic
• cyclonic
• demonic
• dystonic
• hadronic
• harmonic

Kids 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