hypersonic

American  

[hahy-per-son-ik] / ˌhaɪ pərˈsɒn ɪk /

adjective

1. noting or pertaining to speed that is at least five times that of sound in the same medium.

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hypersonic British  

/ ˌhaɪpəˈsɒnɪk /

adjective

1. concerned with or having a velocity of at least five times that of sound in the same medium under the same conditions

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hypersonic Scientific  

/ hī′pər-sŏn′ĭk /

1. Relating to or capable of speeds equal to or exceeding five times the speed of sound (Mach 5 and above).

2. Compare subsonic supersonic transonic

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Other Word Forms

• hypersonics noun

Etymology

Origin of hypersonic

First recorded in 1935–40; hyper- + sonic

Compare meaning

How does hypersonic compare to similar and commonly confused words? Explore the most common comparisons:

• hypersonic vs. supersonic

Example Sentences

Under Xi, China has expanded its nuclear arsenal, surpassed the U.S. in the number of naval vessels and started fielding cutting-edge weapons such as hypersonic missiles that Western powers have yet to master.

From The Wall Street Journal

In particular, he warned of the prospect of hypersonic missiles that travel at least five times the speed of sound, making them much harder to detect and intercept than traditional ballistic missiles, which would follow predictable arcs over the North Pole.

From BBC

These include hypersonic missiles, space and cyber weapons, drones, and as ever nuclear weapons.

From The Wall Street Journal

Stratolaunch makes reusable hypersonic test aircraft, which are integral for the Defense Department’s lower-cost tests of aircraft and weapons that travel at least five times the speed of sound.

From The Wall Street Journal

In March, the U.S. military completed a series of test flights of a reusable hypersonic rocket-powered aircraft for the first time in more than a half-century.

From The Wall Street Journal

Related Words

• agile
• brisk
• hot
• nimble
• quick
• rapid
• swift