subsonic

adjective

sub·​son·​ic ˌsəb-ˈsä-nik 

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

: infrasonic sense 1

subsonically

ˌsəb-ˈsä-ni-k(ə-)lē 

adverb

Examples of subsonic in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

Low-flying, subsonic cruise missiles aren’t terribly difficult to shoot down, given enough warning. —David Axe, Forbes, 4 Oct. 2024

The autonomous subsonic aircraft is being developed as part of the US Air Force's CCA program and is based on the company's XQ-67A prototype. —David Szondy, New Atlas, 19 Sep. 2024

There’s plenty of definition and detail all the way from that subsonic base to the tiniest treble details and yet the sound never strains or tires the listener’s ears because the planar magnetic drivers show almost no distortion thanks to a Total Harmonic Distortion of less than 0.3%. —Mark Sparrow, Forbes, 15 Sep. 2024

Once in the lower atmosphere and with speeds now in the subsonic realm, parachutes were deployed to further slow the capsule. —David Szondy, New Atlas, 6 Sep. 2024

Word History

Etymology

International Scientific Vocabulary

First Known Use

1920, in the meaning defined at sense 3

Kids Definition

subsonic

adjective

sub·​son·​ic ˌsəb-ˈsän-ik 

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