Advertisement

Advertisement

subsonic

[ suhb-son-ik ]

adjective

  1. noting or pertaining to a speed less than that of sound in air at the same height above sea level.


subsonic

/ sʌbˈsɒnɪk /

adjective

  1. being, having, or travelling at a velocity below that of sound

    a subsonic aircraft

“Collins English Dictionary — Complete & Unabridged” 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012


subsonic

/ sŭb-sŏnĭk /

  1. Having a speed less than that of sound in a designated medium, usually air; having a velocity less than Mach 1.
  2. Compare hypersonic


Discover More

Other Words From

  • sub·soni·cal·ly adverb
Discover More

Word History and Origins

Origin of subsonic1

1940–45; sub- + sonic ( def )
Discover More

Compare Meanings

How does subsonic compare to similar and commonly confused words? Explore the most common comparisons:

Discover More

Example Sentences

They presented records showing that Peterson, who lived in Durham, N.C., bought silencer components online and researched subsonic ammunition, which is quieter than standard rounds.

The venerable A-10, which first flew more than 50 years ago, is a single-seat, subsonic attack aircraft designed to provide close air support to ground troops by attacking enemy armored vehicles.

A crane lifted the Intrepid’s Concorde onto a barge Wednesday for a very subsonic passage to the Brooklyn Navy Yard, where it will be stripped down, sanded and repainted.

Nuclear forces also are being modernized with $37.7 billion on new forces, and $11 billion for a mix of both hypersonic and long-range subsonic weapons that can strike from land, air and sea.

Almost one-third of the Defense Department’s munitions dollars in the new budget would be focused on long-range weaponry — both hypersonic missiles and subsonic weapons.

Advertisement

Advertisement

Advertisement

Advertisement


subsongsubspace