supersonic

[soo-per-son-ik]

adjective

1. greater than the speed of sound waves through air.

2. capable of achieving such speed.

   a supersonic plane.

3. ultrasonic.

supersonic

/ ˌsuːpəˈsɒnɪk /

adjective

1. being, having, or capable of reaching a speed in excess of the speed of sound

   supersonic aircraft

supersonic

1. Having a speed greater than that of sound in a designated medium, usually air; having a speed greater than Mach 1.

2. Compare hypersonic subsonic transonic

Other Word Forms

• supersonically adverb

Word History and Origins

Origin of supersonic¹

First recorded in 1915–20; super- + sonic

Example Sentences

The fast solar wind -- a supersonic stream of charged particles -- originates mainly in the Sun's polar coronal holes and fills most of the heliosphere, shaping conditions in interplanetary space.

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In terms of purely destructive power, however, hypersonic missiles are not hugely different from supersonic or subsonic cruise missiles, according to Mr Freer.

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These too will be flown by RAF pilots, at supersonic speed.

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Stokes' value as a cricketer will never be explained by statistics alone, even though his statistics are supersonic.

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Viewed from Tehran, this escalation is not just about stockpiles, centrifuges, and supersonic missiles.

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Related Words

• accelerated www.thesaurus.com
• brisk 
• expeditious 
• hasty 
• hurried 
• immediate 
• prompt 
• rapid 
• swift