sound barrier

noun

: a sudden large increase in aerodynamic drag that occurs as the speed of an aircraft approaches the speed of sound

Examples of sound barrier in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web
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The bill also states that the Connecticut Department of Transportation will evaluate the feasibility and cost-effectiveness of one to three solar installations onto exiting highway sound barriers. Stephen Underwood, Hartford Courant, 8 Apr. 2026 Whitefish Bay Village Board's decision comes after months of discourse and village efforts to find a compromise In mid 2025, the village limited playing time from 8 a.m. to 8 p.m. and installed some sound barriers, which cut the noise from 77 decibels to 66 decibels. Claudia Levens, jsonline.com, 3 Mar. 2026 Engineers are still studying what type of sound barrier would be most effective and expect to decide within two weeks. Bracey Harris, NBC news, 26 Feb. 2026 Investigators on Thursday were trying to determine how a driver went through a sound barrier on Interstate 55 in Romeoville, Illinois, crashing into oncoming traffic. Elyssa Kaufman, CBS News, 8 Jan. 2026 See All Example Sentences for sound barrier

Word History

First Known Use

1939, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of sound barrier was in 1939

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Cite this Entry

“Sound barrier.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/sound%20barrier. Accessed 13 Apr. 2026.

Kids Definition

sound barrier

noun
: the sudden large increase in resistance that the air offers to an aircraft nearing the speed of sound

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