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 essential oils, sonic devices, or other home remedies.
—
Arricca Elin Sansone, Southern Living, 28 May 2026
Davis, who died in 1991 at the age of 65, exemplifies the artist as a restlessly curious searcher always ready to explore new sonic terrain.
—Andrew Gilbert, Mercury News, 28 May 2026
Due to its modular architecture it can be integrated with other rocket motors for enhancing range and maneuverability against sub-sonic and supersonic threats.
—Aditya Jadhav, Interesting Engineering, 27 May 2026
His expansive sonic palette includes soaring anthems, tender ballads, and hard-driving dance tracks with a focus on thumping bass and earworm melodies.
—John Wenzel, Denver Post, 26 May 2026
See All Example Sentences for sonic
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Arricca Elin Sansone, Southern Living, 28 May 2026
Davis, who died in 1991 at the age of 65, exemplifies the artist as a restlessly curious searcher always ready to explore new sonic terrain.
—Andrew Gilbert, Mercury News, 28 May 2026
Due to its modular architecture it can be integrated with other rocket motors for enhancing range and maneuverability against sub-sonic and supersonic threats.
—Aditya Jadhav, Interesting Engineering, 27 May 2026
His expansive sonic palette includes soaring anthems, tender ballads, and hard-driving dance tracks with a focus on thumping bass and earworm melodies.
—John Wenzel, Denver Post, 26 May 2026
See All Example Sentences for sonic
Cite this Entry
“Sonic.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/sonic. Accessed 29 May. 2026.
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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