supersonic

1 of 2

adjective

su·​per·​son·​ic ˌsü-pər-ˈsä-nik 

1

: ultrasonic

2

: of, being, or relating to speeds from one to five times the speed of sound in air compare sonic

3

: moving, capable of moving, or utilizing air currents moving at supersonic speed

4

: relating to supersonic airplanes or missiles

the supersonic age

supersonically

ˌsü-pər-ˈsä-ni-k(ə-)lē 

adverb

supersonic

2 of 2

noun

1

: a supersonic wave or frequency

2

: a supersonic airplane

Examples of supersonic in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

Adjective

The latter loadout allows single-seat, supersonic F-16s to engage Russian targets in the air and on the ground—both from scores of miles away—while also detecting and jamming Russian radars and surface-to-air missile batteries. —David Axe, Forbes, 27 Feb. 2025

Trump also offered India access to Lockheed Martin’s state-of-the-art supersonic Lockheed Martin F-35 fighter jets. —Seema Mody, CNBC, 27 Feb. 2025

Noun

The cruise missiles and supersonics leap forward as the swarms line up behind. —David Szondy, New Atlas, 7 Aug. 2024

The Low Boom Flight Demonstrator Project hopes to revive commercial supersonic by reducing a jet’s sonic boom. —Kyle Mizokami, Popular Mechanics, 16 Mar. 2020

Word History

Etymology

Adjective

Latin super- + sonus sound — more at sound entry 1

First Known Use

Adjective

1919, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Noun

circa 1924, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Phrases Containing supersonic

• supersonic transport

Rhymes for supersonic

• anharmonic
• anionic
• avionic
• catatonic
• cationic
• chorionic
• cosmogonic
• diachronic
• diatonic
• electronic
• embryonic
• excitonic

Kids Definition

supersonic

adjective

su·​per·​son·​ic

ˌsü-pər-ˈsän-ik

1

: ultrasonic

2

: of, being, or relating to speeds from one to five times the speed of sound in air

3

: moving, capable of moving, or using air currents moving at supersonic speed

a supersonic airplane

supersonically

-i-k(ə-)lē

adverb

Medical Definition

supersonic

1 of 2 adjective

su·​per·​son·​ic -ˈsän-ik 

1

: ultrasonic sense 1

2

: of, being, or relating to speeds from one to five times the speed of sound in air compare sonic

3

: moving, capable of moving, or utilizing air currents moving at supersonic speed

4

: relating to supersonic airplanes or missiles

the supersonic age

supersonically

-i-k(ə-)lē 

adverb

supersonic

2 of 2 noun

1

: a supersonic wave or frequency

2

: a supersonic airplane