sound barrier

American  

noun

1. Also called transonic barrier, sonic barrier. (not in technical use) a hypothetical barrier to flight beyond the speed of sound, so postulated because aircraft undergo an abruptly increasing drag force induced by compression of the surrounding air when traveling near the speed of sound.

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idioms

1. break the sound barrier, to travel faster than the speed of sound.

sound barrier British  

noun

1. Also called: sonic barrier, transonic barrier. (not in technical usage) a hypothetical barrier to flight at or above the speed of sound, when a sudden large increase in drag occurs

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Etymology

Origin of sound barrier

First recorded in 1950–55

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Example Sentences

See Examples For:

sound barrier

It first flew in 2025 and is now breaking the sound barrier over chosen US towns.

From BBC ● Sep. 24, 2026

“I don’t want to break the sound barrier, but you know, it’s nice when you’re trying to get on the highway quickly,” he added.

From The Wall Street Journal ● Aug. 19, 2026

Chuck Yeager’s 1947 flight that broke the sound barrier occurred at Edwards, as well as the first landings of the Space Shuttle in 1981.

From The Wall Street Journal ● Jun. 15, 2026

To mimic the conditions of a rocket ascent, they launched the missile and, after it broke the sound barrier, triggered the abort system.

From Los Angeles Times ● Mar. 31, 2026

It is usually easy to do homework in class because Mr. Stet- man’s voice creates a gentle, white-noise sound barrier.

From "Speak" by Laurie Halse Anderson

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