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
SpaceX said on its launch page that residents in Santa Barbara, San Luis Obispo and Ventura counties might experience one or more sonic booms during the launch, a phenomenon that has long upset residents and raised concerns about the booms’ effect on nearby endangered species.
—
Jaclyn Cosgrove, Los Angeles Times, 15 Feb. 2026
SpaceX had warned ahead of launch that parts of Central Florida could experience one or more sonic booms.
—Richard Tribou, The Orlando Sentinel, 13 Feb. 2026
Similarly, the environmental noise consisted of jets, helicopters, sonic booms and other noises that are not typical — noises that people could also become accustomed to over time.
—Kaan Ozcan, NBC news, 4 Feb. 2026
The F-15s will now be used to support research flights of NASA's new X-59 'quiet' supersonic jet, an aircraft designed to fly at supersonic speeds without producing the thunderous sonic booms typically associated with breaking the sound barrier.
—Julian Dossett, Space.com, 27 Jan. 2026
See All Example Sentences for sonic boom
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.
Jaclyn Cosgrove, Los Angeles Times, 15 Feb. 2026
SpaceX had warned ahead of launch that parts of Central Florida could experience one or more sonic booms.
—Richard Tribou, The Orlando Sentinel, 13 Feb. 2026
Similarly, the environmental noise consisted of jets, helicopters, sonic booms and other noises that are not typical — noises that people could also become accustomed to over time.
—Kaan Ozcan, NBC news, 4 Feb. 2026
The F-15s will now be used to support research flights of NASA's new X-59 'quiet' supersonic jet, an aircraft designed to fly at supersonic speeds without producing the thunderous sonic booms typically associated with breaking the sound barrier.
—Julian Dossett, Space.com, 27 Jan. 2026
See All Example Sentences for sonic boom
Cite this Entry
“Sonic boom.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/sonic%20boom. Accessed 17 Feb. 2026.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
