hypersonic

[hahy-per-son-ik]

adjective

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

hypersonic

/ ˌhaɪpəˈsɒnɪk /

adjective

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

hypersonic

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

2. Compare subsonic supersonic transonic

Other Word Forms

• hypersonics noun

Word History and Origins

Origin of hypersonic¹

First recorded in 1935–40; hyper- + sonic

Example Sentences

The mood music among the military is that investing more in huge, astronomically expensive vessels like aircraft carriers is risky when they could be taken out by new weaponry like hypersonic missiles or drone ships.

From BBC

A new nuclear-capable missile that can be launched from sea, land and air, hypersonic anti-ship missiles and laser weapons to defend against drone attacks.

From BBC

There were also several hypersonic anti-ship missiles such as the YJ-17 and YJ-19, which can fly very fast and maneuver unpredictably to evade anti-missile systems.

From BBC

Hypersonic missiles that travel at more than five times the speed of sound is one area where China leads the world.

From BBC

Dr Sidharth Kaushal, a leading expert on missiles at the London think tank RUSI, highlights the YJ-17 - a hypersonic glide vehicle - and the YJ-19, a hypersonic cruise missile.

From BBC

Related Words

• agile 
• brisk 
• hot 
• nimble 
• quick 
• rapid 
• swift