subsonic

adjective

sub·​son·​ic ˌsəb-ˈsä-nik How to pronounce subsonic (audio)
1
: of, relating to, or being a speed less than that of sound in air
2
: moving, capable of moving, or utilizing air currents moving at a subsonic speed
3
subsonically adverb

Examples of subsonic in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
With a frequency range starting at a subsonic 4Hz and extending to a bat-squeaking 96kHz, these headphones have a tonality enhanced with high-frequency sparkle but with a comfortable sound signature. Mark Sparrow, Forbes, 20 Feb. 2025 The demonstrator flew 10 more subsonic flights, then went supersonic for the first time on Jan. 28 of this year. Mike Wall, Space.com, 11 Feb. 2025 Overture’s medium-bypass turbofan engine, Symphony, will run on sustainable aviation fuel and produce noise levels comparable to subsonic jets, unlike Concorde’s deafening, CO2-emitting afterburners. IEEE Spectrum, 8 Feb. 2025 The commercial Overture airliners will be able to carry 64 to 80 passengers at Mach 1.7, about twice the speed of today’s subsonic airliners, meaning a flight could cross the Atlantic in just about 3 1/2 hours. Mary Walrath-Holdridge, USA TODAY, 29 Jan. 2025 See all Example Sentences for subsonic 

Word History

Etymology

International Scientific Vocabulary

First Known Use

1920, in the meaning defined at sense 3

Time Traveler
The first known use of subsonic was in 1920

Dictionary Entries Near subsonic

Cite this Entry

“Subsonic.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/subsonic. Accessed 24 Feb. 2025.

Kids Definition

subsonic

adjective
sub·​son·​ic ˌsəb-ˈsän-ik How to pronounce subsonic (audio)
ˈsəb-
1
: of, relating to, or being a speed less than that of sound in air
2
: moving, capable of moving, or using air currents moving at a subsonic speed
Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
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