definitions

supersonic

[ soo-per-son-ik ]
/ ˌsu pərˈsɒn ɪk /
|
SEE MORE SYNONYMS FOR supersonic ON THESAURUS.COM

adjective

greater than the speed of sound waves through air.
capable of achieving such speed: a supersonic plane.
ultrasonic.

RELATED WORDS

rapid, prompt, hasty, brisk, immediate, hurried, expeditious, swift, unexpected, nimble, sudden, abrupt, quick, speedy, agile, hot, airplane, plane, short, flying

Nearby words

supersensual, superserviceable, supersession, supersex, supersize, supersonic, supersonic transport, supersonics, superspeed, superstar, superstate

Origin of supersonic

First recorded in 1915–20; super- + sonic
Related formssu·per·son·i·cal·ly, adverb
Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2019

Examples from the Web for supersonic

British Dictionary definitions for supersonic

supersonic

/ (ˌsuːpəˈsɒnɪk) /

adjective

being, having, or capable of reaching a speed in excess of the speed of soundsupersonic aircraft
Derived Formssupersonically, adverb
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

Word Origin and History for supersonic

supersonic

adj.

1919, "of or having to do with sound waves beyond the limit of human hearing," from super- + sonic. Attested from 1934 in sense of "exceeding the speed of sound" (especially as a measure of aircraft speed), leaving the original sense to ultrasonic (1923).

Online Etymology Dictionary, © 2010 Douglas Harper

Medicine definitions for supersonic

supersonic

[ sōō′pər-sŏn′ĭk ]

adj.

Having, caused by, or relating to a speed greater than the speed of sound in a given medium, especially air.
Of or relating to sound waves beyond human audibility.
Related formssu′per•son′i•cal•ly adv.
The American Heritage® Stedman's Medical Dictionary Copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Company.

Science definitions for supersonic

supersonic

[ sōō′pər-sŏn′ĭk ]

Having a speed greater than that of sound in a designated medium, usually air; having a speed greater than Mach 1. Compare hypersonic subsonic transonic.
The American Heritage® Science Dictionary Copyright © 2011. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. All rights reserved.