hypersonic

adjective

hy·​per·​son·​ic ˌhī-pər-ˈsä-nik How to pronounce hypersonic (audio)
1
: of or relating to speed five or more times that of sound in air compare sonic
2
: moving, capable of moving, or utilizing air currents that move at hypersonic speed
hypersonic wind tunnel
hypersonically
ˌhī-pər-ˈsä-ni-k(ə-)lē How to pronounce hypersonic (audio)
adverb

Examples of hypersonic in a Sentence

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Payloads included two satellites for the Missile Defense Agency to track hypersonic missiles and four more satellites for the Tranche 0 constellation for the Space Development Agency. — Richard Tribou, Orlando Sentinel, 15 Mar. 2025 European militaries also lag behind the larger military powers in key emerging technologies that could prove decisive in future conflicts, including fighter aircraft, hypersonic weapons, and air defense systems. — Vikram Mittal, Forbes, 11 Mar. 2025 Russia has also tested hypersonic missiles, which are capable of evading American defenses, in the Arctic. — Stephen Smith, CBS News, 27 Feb. 2025 The cruiser Zunyi, a Type 055 destroyer, is by far the most capable PLA Navy surface combatant in service – capable of firing ballistic missiles and reportedly hypersonic missiles too, said Collin Koh, research fellow at the S. Rajaratnam School of International Studies in Singapore. — Nectar Gan, CNN, 24 Feb. 2025 See All Example Sentences for hypersonic

Word History

Etymology

International Scientific Vocabulary

First Known Use

1946, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Time Traveler
The first known use of hypersonic was in 1946

Rhymes for hypersonic

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Browse Nearby Words

hypersomnolence
hypersonic
hypersorption
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Cite this Entry

“Hypersonic.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/hypersonic. Accessed 27 Mar. 2025.

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