subsonic

adjective

sub·​son·​ic ˌsəb-ˈsä-nik 

1

: of, relating to, or being a speed less than that of sound in air

2

: moving, capable of moving, or utilizing air currents moving at a subsonic speed

3

: infrasonic sense 1

subsonically

ˌsəb-ˈsä-ni-k(ə-)lē 

adverb

Examples of subsonic in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

Another possibility experts suggested: The shooter could have chosen subsonic ammunition to avoid detection. —Christopher Cann, The Courier-Journal, 5 Dec. 2024

While a subsonic flight takes longer, the new British Airways First will be far more comfortable than flying on Concorde ever was. —Marisa Garcia, Forbes, 27 Nov. 2024

Low-flying, subsonic cruise missiles aren’t terribly difficult to shoot down, given enough warning. —David Axe, Forbes, 4 Oct. 2024

The autonomous subsonic aircraft is being developed as part of the US Air Force's CCA program and is based on the company's XQ-67A prototype. —David Szondy, New Atlas, 19 Sep. 2024

Word History

Etymology

International Scientific Vocabulary

First Known Use

1920, in the meaning defined at sense 3

Kids Definition

subsonic

adjective

sub·​son·​ic ˌsəb-ˈsän-ik 

ˈsəb-

1

: of, relating to, or being a speed less than that of sound in air

2

: moving, capable of moving, or using air currents moving at a subsonic speed