sonic boom

noun

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

sonic boom

noun

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

sonic boom

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

1. See boom, sonic.

boom, sonic

²

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.

Word History and Origins

Origin of sonic boom¹

First recorded in 1950–55

Related Words

• shock wave