sonic barrier
Americannoun
noun
Etymology
Origin of sonic barrier
First recorded in 1945–50
Example Sentences
Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.
Sound was initially dismissed as a possible deterrent when research revealed fishes become acclimated to constant tones and would eventually move through a sonic barrier.
From Scientific American ● Sep. 20, 2017
When the plane reaches about 80% of the speed of sound, however, the velocity of the air flowing over the upper side of the wing reaches the sonic barrier.
From Time Magazine Archive
Well below these speeds, the "sonic barrier" makes itself felt, jamming an airplane's controls, destroying the lift of its wings.
From Time Magazine Archive
Thus, although the sonic barrier is around 660 m.p.h. at the normal jet cruising altitude of 35,000 ft., commercial jets are held down to a speed of about 560 m.p.h.
From Time Magazine Archive
As a natural result of this, the first serious rocket experiments in this country were labeled screwball stunts, about on a par with efforts to break through the sonic barrier.
From The Flying Saucers are Real by Keyhoe, Donald E. (Donald Edward)
Definitions and idiom definitions from Dictionary.com Unabridged, based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023
Idioms from The American Heritage® Idioms Dictionary copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company.
