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hypersonic vs. supersonic

hypersonic vs. supersonic: What's the difference?

Supersonic means faster than the speed of sound, while hypersonic means specifically five times faster than the speed of sound. Therefore, all hypersonic speeds are also supersonic, but something supersonic is not necessarily hypersonic.

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.

supersonic

[ soo-per-son-ik ]
adjective
  1. greater than the speed of sound waves through air.
  2. capable of achieving such speed: a supersonic plane.
  3. ultrasonic.