sonic boom

NOUN

burst of sound

Synonyms

STRONGEST

shock wave

WEAK

Mach wave loud report

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.

A sonic boom occurs when an aircraft travels faster than the speed of sound, generating shockwaves that rapidly compress and decompress the air, producing an explosive noise.

From BBC • Aug. 15, 2025

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

From Los Angeles Times • May 25, 2025

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

From BBC • Apr. 10, 2025

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 Science Daily • Nov. 21, 2024

The telltale sonic boom indicated that the plane had pushed through the volatile transonic region into the state of smoother, all-supersonic flows.

From "Hidden Figures" by Margot Lee Shetterly