CEFR B1

sonic boom

noun phrase

Meaning

A sonic boom is a sudden, very loud noise that occurs when an object, such as an airplane, breaks the sound barrier and travels faster than the speed of sound.

Examples

The sonic boom from the jet was so loud that it rattled the windows of the nearby houses.
The pilot had to be careful not to produce a sonic boom when flying over populated areas.

Learn English that separates you from the crowd with Anaversity: private classes, Ani practice, Campus tools, and a public English-learning community.

sonic boom (B1)

noun phrase

Pronunciation: /ˈsɒnɪk ˈbuːm/

Definition

A sonic boom is a sudden, very loud noise that occurs when an object, such as an airplane, breaks the sound barrier and travels faster than the speed of sound.

Examples

The sonic boom from the jet was so loud that it rattled the windows of the nearby houses.
The pilot had to be careful not to produce a sonic boom when flying over populated areas.

How to Use sonic boom

produce a sonic boom (verb phrase): to create a sonic boom — "The plane produced a sonic boom as it broke the sound barrier."
hear a sonic boom (verb phrase): to perceive a sonic boom — "The people on the ground heard a sonic boom as the plane flew overhead."

Browse the full Anaversity dictionary