sound barrier
noun
Also called sonic barrier, transonic 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 for sound barrier
break the sound barrier, to travel faster than the speed of sound.
Origin of sound barrier
First recorded in 1950–55
Words nearby sound barrier
soulless, soult, sound, sound and the fury, the, sound as a bell, sound barrier, sound bite, sound block, sound bow, sound camera, sound check
Dictionary.com Unabridged
Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2020
British Dictionary definitions for sound barrier
sound barrier
noun
(not in technical usage) a hypothetical barrier to flight at or above the speed of sound, when a sudden large increase in drag occursAlso called: sonic barrier, transonic barrier
Collins English Dictionary - Complete & Unabridged 2012 Digital Edition
© William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins
Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012
Scientific definitions for sound barrier
sound barrier
The sharp increase in drag experienced by aircraft approaching the speed of sound. Also called sonic barrier
The American Heritage® Science Dictionary
Copyright © 2011. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. All rights reserved.
Cultural definitions for sound barrier
sound barrier
The sudden increase in air resistance that occurs when an aircraft approaches the speed of sound. This is also called the sonic barrier.
The New Dictionary of Cultural Literacy, Third Edition
Copyright © 2005 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. All rights reserved.