Jump To:

• sonic boom
  sonic boom

  noun

  a loud noise caused by the shock wave generated by an aircraft moving at supersonic speed.
• boom, sonic
  boom, sonic

  The sharp, explosive sound generated by an airplane traveling at speeds greater than the speed of sound. The sonic boom follows the aircraft much like a wake follows a ship.

sonic boom

American  

noun

1. a loud noise caused by the shock wave generated by an aircraft moving at supersonic speed.

---

sonic boom British  

noun

1. a loud explosive sound caused by the shock wave of an aircraft, etc, travelling at supersonic speed

---

sonic boom Scientific  

1. A shock wave of compressed air caused by an aircraft traveling faster than the speed of sound. It is often audible as a loud, explosive sound, and it sometimes causes damage to structures on the ground.

---

sonic boom ¹ Cultural  

1. See boom, sonic.

---

boom, sonic ² Cultural  

1. The sharp, explosive sound generated by an airplane traveling at speeds greater than the speed of sound. The sonic boom follows the aircraft much like a wake follows a ship.

---

Etymology

Origin of sonic boom

First recorded in 1950–55

Example Sentences

Although the X-59 was designed to minimize the disruptive sonic boom typically associated with supersonic aircraft, these initial supersonic flights are not intended to demonstrate that capability.

From Science Daily • Jun. 1, 2026

A sonic boom caused by a SpaceX cargo vessel rattled Los Angeles late Saturday evening.

From Los Angeles Times • May 25, 2025

It sparked an immensely powerful shock akin to a "sonic boom from a jet fighter" -- the likes of which are among the most striking phenomena in the Universe.

From Science Daily • Nov. 21, 2024

Nearby residents told BBC Scotland News the explosion sounded like a "sonic boom".

From BBC • Oct. 11, 2024

We hear the crack of a bullwhip because its tip is moving faster than the speed of sound, creating a shock wave, a small sonic boom.

From "Cosmos" by Carl Sagan

Related Words

• shock wave