View synonyms for hypersonic

hypersonic

[ hahy-per-son-ik ]

Phonetic (Standard)IPA

adjective

noting or pertaining to speed that is at least five times that of sound in the same medium.

hypersonic

/ ˌhaɪpəˈsɒnɪk /

concerned with or having a velocity of at least five times that of sound in the same medium under the same conditions

hypersonic

/ hī′pər-sŏn′ĭk /

Relating to or capable of speeds equal to or exceeding five times the speed of sound (Mach 5 and above).
Compare subsonic

First recorded in 1935–40; hyper- + sonic

Hypersonic weapons travel at extremely high speeds, anywhere from 3,840 to 16,250 miles an hour.

Unsurprisingly, Russia has started work on hypersonic weapons.

Hypersonic drones, like the drones before them, are the latest innovation in push-button warfare.

As the Russian defense minister noted, the big powers all have to either develop hypersonic weapons or risk becoming outclassed.

The United States was the first to conduct large-scale hypersonic weapons research, but other nations are racing to catch up.

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