ultrasonic

adjective

ul·​tra·​son·​ic ˌəl-trə-ˈsä-nik 

1

: having a frequency above the human ear's audibility limit of about 20,000 hertz

—used of waves and vibrations

2

: utilizing, produced by, or relating to ultrasonic waves or vibrations

ultrasonically

ˌəl-trə-ˈsä-ni-k(ə-)lē 

adverb

Did you know?

Ultrasound, or ultrasonography, works on the principle that sound is reflected at different speeds by tissues or substances of different densities. Ultrasound technology has been used medically since the 1940s. Sonograms, the pictures produced by ultrasound, can reveal heart defects, tumors, and gallstones; since low-power ultrasonic waves don't present any risks to a body, they're most often used to display fetuses during pregnancy in order to make sure they're healthy. Ultrasonics has many other uses, including underwater sonar sensing. High-power ultrasonics are so intense that they're actually used for drilling and welding.

Examples of ultrasonic in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

Natural deterrents like peppermint oil and ultrasonic repellents can also help to keep mice out. —Lauren Landers, The Spruce, 7 Jan. 2026

Our favorite budget-friendly pick is a $20 ultrasonic jewelry cleaner that spruces up everything from rings to eyeglasses (and makes a great gift for brides-to-be). —Mariana Best, Better Homes & Gardens, 27 Dec. 2025

This Pure Daily steamer has an ultrasonic vaporizer that releases fine mist and gently hydrates skin. —Sian Babish, PEOPLE, 25 Dec. 2025

In the West, a new technique which employed ultrasonic waves to break down the cloudy lens, allowing the debris to be suctioned out through a small incision was being developed and perfected. —Pasquale Hinrichs, CNN Money, 15 Dec. 2025

Word History

First Known Use

1923, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Rhymes for ultrasonic

• anharmonic
• anionic
• avionic
• catatonic
• cationic
• chorionic
• cosmogonic
• diachronic
• diatonic
• electronic
• embryonic
• excitonic

Kids Definition

ultrasonic

adjective

ul·​tra·​son·​ic ˌəl-trə-ˈsän-ik 

: relating to or being vibrations that are of the same kind as sound waves but have too high a frequency to be heard by the human ear

ultrasonically

-ˈsän-i-k(ə-)lē 

adverb

Medical Definition

ultrasonic

adjective

ul·​tra·​son·​ic -ˈsän-ik 

1

a

: having a frequency above the human ear's audibility limit of about 20,000 hertz

—used of waves and vibrations

b

: utilizing, produced by, or relating to ultrasonic waves or vibrations

removal of tartar with an ultrasonic scaler

2

: ultrasound

ultrasonically

-i-k(ə-)lē 

adverb