sound barrier

noun

1. Also called transonic barrier. Also called 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.

sound barrier

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

Word History and Origins

Origin of sound barrier¹

First recorded in 1950–55

Idioms and Phrases

Idioms

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

Example Sentences

He set a record for fastest free fall, descending 127,852 feet at 843.6 mph and becoming the first human to break the sound barrier without the assistance of a vehicle.

From Los Angeles Times

And in Granbury, Texas, a 24ft-high sound barrier was erected in 2023 at a mining site after residents complained to public officials that the nonstop roar was keeping them awake and giving them migraines.

From BBC

On Wednesday, Israeli warplanes broke the sound barrier at low altitude over the capital Beirut for the first time since the ceasefire began.

From BBC

Intense sonic booms could be heard overhead as Israeli jets broke the sound barrier.

From BBC

Along the coast in the city of Tyre, Israeli jets are swooping low, breaking the sound barrier - but the beach below is more crowded.

From BBC