1
: utilizing, produced by, or relating to sound waves
sonic altimeter
broadly
: of or involving sound
sonic pollution
2
: having a frequency within the audibility range of the human ear
—used of waves and vibrations
3
: of, relating to, or being the speed of sound in air or about 761 miles per hour (1224 kilometers per hour) at sea level at 59°F (15°C)
Did you know?
A sonic boom is an explosive sound created by a shock wave formed at the nose of an aircraft. In 1947 a plane piloted by Chuck Yeager burst the "sound barrier" and created the first sonic boom. In the decades afterward sonic booms became a familiar sound to Americans. (Because of steps that were eventually taken, sonic booms are rarely heard anymore.) Today sonic is often used by ambitious rock musicians to describe their experimental sounds.
Examples of sonic in a Sentence
Recent Examples on the Web
Forget about using essential oils, specific plants such as lavender or lemongrass, or sonic devices as flea repellents.
—
Arricca Elin Sansone, Southern Living, 18 Sep. 2025
The frontrunners there seem to be Argentine legend Gustavo Santaolalla, who has soundtracked films like Amores Perros and Brokeback Mountain, and Cabra, the famed producer and former half of Calle 13, both who create sonic landscapes in their work.
—Julyssa Lopez, Rolling Stone, 17 Sep. 2025
FiiO claims the result is a sonic presentation that combines technical accuracy with a sense of warmth and a natural flow that’s good for analytical listening as well as long musical sessions.
—Mark Sparrow, Forbes.com, 9 Sep. 2025
If approved, the permits would allow the company to analyze the subsurface with sonic waves and drilling.
—Nicole Blanchard, Idaho Statesman, 9 Sep. 2025
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Arricca Elin Sansone, Southern Living, 18 Sep. 2025
The frontrunners there seem to be Argentine legend Gustavo Santaolalla, who has soundtracked films like Amores Perros and Brokeback Mountain, and Cabra, the famed producer and former half of Calle 13, both who create sonic landscapes in their work.
—Julyssa Lopez, Rolling Stone, 17 Sep. 2025
FiiO claims the result is a sonic presentation that combines technical accuracy with a sense of warmth and a natural flow that’s good for analytical listening as well as long musical sessions.
—Mark Sparrow, Forbes.com, 9 Sep. 2025
If approved, the permits would allow the company to analyze the subsurface with sonic waves and drilling.
—Nicole Blanchard, Idaho Statesman, 9 Sep. 2025
See All Example Sentences for sonic
Cite this Entry
“Sonic.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/sonic. Accessed 24 Sep. 2025.
Copy CitationKids Definition
sonic
adjective
son·ic
ˈsän-ik 
: using, produced by, or relating to sound waves
Medical Definition
sonic
adjective
son·ic
ˈsän-ik
1
: having a frequency within the audibility range of the human ear
—used of waves and vibrations
2
: utilizing, produced by, or relating to sound waves
a sonic device used to rupture cell walls
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