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Supersonic: meaning, definitions and examples

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supersonic

 

[ ˌsuːpərˈsɒnɪk ]

Adjective
Context #1 | Adjective

speed category

Supersonic refers to speeds that exceed the speed of sound, which is approximately 343 meters per second or 1,125 feet per second at sea level under standard conditions. It is a term often used in aerospace and aviation to describe aircraft or projectiles that can travel faster than sound. Supersonic speeds create shock waves that can lead to a sonic boom when the object surpasses the speed of sound. The term is crucial in discussions of both civilian and military aviation technology, as well as in the study of various supersonic flight aspects.

Synonyms

hypersonic, transonic

Examples of usage

  • The supersonic jet flew across the sky.
  • They developed a supersonic missile for military use.
  • The concert featured a supersonic performance with sound effects.

Translations

Translations of the word "supersonic" in other languages:

🇵🇹 supersônico

🇮🇳 सुपरसोनिक

🇩🇪 überschall

🇮🇩 supersonik

🇺🇦 суперзвуковий

🇵🇱 naddźwiękowy

🇯🇵 超音速

🇫🇷 supersonique

🇪🇸 supersónico

🇹🇷 süpersonik

🇰🇷 초음속

🇸🇦 فوق الصوتي

🇨🇿 nadzvukový

🇸🇰 nadzvukový

🇨🇳 超音速

🇸🇮 nadzvočni

🇮🇸 ofurhljóð

🇰🇿 дауысты

🇬🇪 სუპერსონიური

🇦🇿 səsdən sürətli

🇲🇽 supersónico

Etymology

The term 'supersonic' originates from the Latin word 'supersonicus,' where 'super-' means 'above' and 'sonus' translates to 'sound.' The word came into use in the early 20th century, particularly in the field of aerodynamics and aviation. With the advent of faster aircraft around World War II, the necessity to describe speeds greater than that of sound led to the popularization of this term. Notably, significant events in aviation history, such as the flight of the Bell X-1, the first aircraft to break the sound barrier in 1947, contributed to the prominence of 'supersonic' in both scientific literature and public discourse. Over time, supersonic has become synonymous with advanced aeronautical engineering and is commonly associated with commercial endeavors like Concorde, which operated from 1976 to 2003, offering civilians the chance to travel at supersonic speeds.

Word Frequency Rank

At position #14,223, this word is part of sophisticated English vocabulary. It's useful for academic or professional contexts where precise language is needed.