transonic

adjective

tran·son·ic tran(t)s-ˈsä-nik

tran-ˈsä-

variants or less commonly transsonic

: being or relating to speeds near that of sound in air or about 741 miles (1185 kilometers) per hour at sea level and especially to speeds slightly below the speed of sound at which the speed of airflow varies from subsonic to supersonic at different points along the surface of a body in motion relative to the surrounding air

: moving, capable of moving, or utilizing air currents moving at a transonic speed

Example Sentences

Recent Examples on the Web This schlieren image shows an Air Force Test Pilot School T-38 in a transonic state, meaning the aircraft is transitioning from a subsonic speed to supersonic. —

Carl Engelking, Discover Magazine, 18 Dec. 2017 That way, the pilot could anticipate transonic instability. —

Anna Russel, The New Yorker, 3 Aug. 2021 The solution was the X-1 transonic research aircraft that Yeager piloted. —

Rob Verger, Popular Science, 8 Dec. 2020 Insufficient transonic acceleration showed up, too. —

Eric Tegler, Popular Mechanics, 28 Sep. 2020 Insufficient transonic acceleration showed up, too. —

Eric Tegler, Popular Mechanics, 28 Sep. 2020 See More

These example sentences are selected automatically from various online news sources to reflect current usage of the word 'transonic.' Views expressed in the examples do not represent the opinion of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.