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sonic boom

noun

a loud noise caused by the shock wave generated by an aircraft moving at supersonic speed.

sonic boom

noun

a loud explosive sound caused by the shock wave of an aircraft, etc, travelling at supersonic speed

sonic boom

A shock wave of compressed air caused by an aircraft traveling faster than the speed of sound. It is often audible as a loud, explosive sound, and it sometimes causes damage to structures on the ground.

sonic boom

See boom, sonic.

boom, sonic

The sharp, explosive sound generated by an airplane traveling at speeds greater than the speed of sound. The sonic boom follows the aircraft much like a wake follows a ship.

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Word History and Origins

Origin of sonic boom¹

First recorded in 1950–55

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Example Sentences

Examples have not been reviewed.

A loud boom and rattling were reported last month across a broad swath of the region due to a sonic boom from a SpaceX cargo vessel.

From

A sonic boom caused by a SpaceX cargo vessel rattled Los Angeles late Saturday evening.

From

Santi, meanwhile, knows he’s good; when he pummels a ball, it sounds like a sonic boom.

From

A bullet travelling at supersonic speed first creates a sonic boom - often called a "crack".

From

It sparked an immensely powerful shock akin to a "sonic boom from a jet fighter" -- the likes of which are among the most striking phenomena in the Universe.

From

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