hypersonic

adjective

hy·​per·​son·​ic ˌhī-pər-ˈsä-nik How to pronounce hypersonic (audio)
1
: of or relating to speed five or more times that of sound in air compare sonic
2
: moving, capable of moving, or utilizing air currents that move at hypersonic speed
hypersonic wind tunnel
hypersonically adverb

Examples of hypersonic in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web
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That needs to include drones as well, not just adversarial actions like hypersonic missiles. CBS News, 15 Dec. 2024 The latest attack also comes on the heels of Russia's first use of an intermediate-range hypersonic missile, the Oreshnik, in a strike on Nov 21. Daniel R. Depetris, Newsweek, 13 Dec. 2024 Cape Canaveral Space Force Station had a different kind of launch on its plate Thursday when the Army and Navy teamed up to complete a test of a hypersonic missile. Richard Tribou, Orlando Sentinel, 13 Dec. 2024 Each of the Zumwalt-class destroyers would be equipped with four missile tubes, each with three of the missiles for a total of 12 hypersonic weapons per ship. Royce Branning, Fortune, 30 Nov. 2024 See all Example Sentences for hypersonic 

Word History

Etymology

International Scientific Vocabulary

First Known Use

1946, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Time Traveler
The first known use of hypersonic was in 1946

Dictionary Entries Near hypersonic

Cite this Entry

“Hypersonic.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/hypersonic. Accessed 21 Dec. 2024.

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
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