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
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
The pachyderms seemed to be fine, if sluggish, until the sonic booms began. Hana Kiros, The Atlantic, 3 July 2026 Quesst—a needle-nosed experimental aircraft with an airframe designed to reduce the typical sonic boom to a sonic thump. Jeremy Hsu, ArsTechnica, 2 July 2026 Meanwhile, the technological and financial hurdles of fighting the sonic boom appeared insurmountable. David Szondy july 02, New Atlas, 2 July 2026 Advances in engineering and flying at high altitudes can mitigate noise and avoid the rattling blast of a sonic boom. Editorial Board, Washington Post, 1 July 2026 See All Example Sentences for sonic boom

Word History

First Known Use

1952, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of sonic boom was in 1952

Browse Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Sonic boom.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/sonic%20boom. Accessed 5 Jul. 2026.

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

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