Dictionary.com
Thesaurus.com
Synonyms

ultrasonic

American  
[uhl-truh-son-ik] / ˌʌl trəˈsɒn ɪk /

adjective

  1. of, relating to, or utilizing ultrasound.

ultrasonic British  
/ ˌʌltrəˈsɒnɪk /

adjective

  1. of, concerned with, or producing waves with the same nature as sound waves but frequencies above audio frequencies See also ultrasound

"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

Other Word Forms

  • ultrasonically adverb

Etymology

Origin of ultrasonic

First recorded in 1925–30; ultra- + sonic

Compare meaning

How does ultrasonic compare to similar and commonly confused words? Explore the most common comparisons:

Vocabulary lists containing ultrasonic

"Animal Snoops," Vocabulary from the informational text

Looking to grow your vocabulary? Check out this interactive, curated word list from our team of English language specialists at Vocabulary.com – one of over 17,000 lists we've built to help learners worldwide!

Example Sentences

Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.

The Afeela 1 was equipped with 18 cameras, nine radars, 12 ultrasonic sensors and lidar — allowing it to qualify for level two autonomy, which requires a driver in control.

From Los Angeles Times • Mar. 26, 2026

The new findings suggest that ultrasonic repellents might be used to discourage hedgehogs from entering roads and other dangerous areas.

From Science Daily • Mar. 12, 2026

And how long before this hyperbaric, ultrasonic sewing machine spins a bobbin?

From The Wall Street Journal • Feb. 12, 2026

He added the ultrasonic speakers are lowered into the seabed "a bit like a lobster pot".

From BBC • Feb. 10, 2026

The repellant effect of bursts of ultrasonic sound is being tested in Canada against corn borer and cutworm moths.

From "Silent Spring" by Rachel Carson

Definitions and idiom definitions from Dictionary.com Unabridged, based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023

Idioms from The American Heritage® Idioms Dictionary copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company.