sonic

adjective

son·​ic ˈsä-nik 

1

: utilizing, produced by, or relating to sound waves

sonic altimeter

broadly : of or involving sound

sonic pollution

2

: having a frequency within the audibility range of the human ear

—used of waves and vibrations

3

: of, relating to, or being the speed of sound in air or about 761 miles per hour (1224 kilometers per hour) at sea level at 59°F (15°C)

sonically

ˈsä-ni-k(ə-)lē 

adverb

Did you know?

A sonic boom is an explosive sound created by a shock wave formed at the nose of an aircraft. In 1947 a plane piloted by Chuck Yeager burst the "sound barrier" and created the first sonic boom. In the decades afterward sonic booms became a familiar sound to Americans. (Because of steps that were eventually taken, sonic booms are rarely heard anymore.) Today sonic is often used by ambitious rock musicians to describe their experimental sounds.

Examples of sonic in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

Narrated by actor-musician Kevin Bacon, this visual, historical, and sonic tour spans genres and generations, offering insights into rock’s influential past and living present. —Thania Garcia, Variety, 19 Feb. 2025

Throughout Saya, Gray constructs a world of sonic surrealism — seamlessly melding swirling harp, taut acoustic guitars, and warm piano tones with glitchy beats and lite-industrial bass lines. —Gabrielle MacAfee, Rolling Stone, 19 Feb. 2025

With this sonic revolution that Killswitch Engage helped to ignite, the 2000s-2010s metalcore genre would establish itself as one of the most popularized metal sub-genres of this century. —Quentin Thane Singer, Forbes, 19 Feb. 2025

Niemann played a steel guitar solo, and Glover gave that its own sonic treatment. —Tom Roland, Billboard, 19 Feb. 2025

Word History

First Known Use

1918, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Phrases Containing sonic

• sonic barrier
• sonic boom

Kids Definition

sonic

adjective

son·​ic ˈsän-ik 

: using, produced by, or relating to sound waves

Medical Definition

sonic

adjective

son·​ic ˈsän-ik 

1

: having a frequency within the audibility range of the human ear

—used of waves and vibrations

2

: utilizing, produced by, or relating to sound waves

a sonic device used to rupture cell walls

sonically

-i-k(ə-)lē 

adverb