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

| sonic boom n. An explosive sound caused by the shock wave preceding an aircraft traveling at or above the speed of sound. |
| 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
shockshock wave that is produced by an aircraft or other object flying at a speed equal to or exceeding the speed of sound and that is heard on the ground as a sound like a clap of thunder.
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