sonic boom

/ˌsɑnɪk bum/

When a jet or airplane zooms through the sky faster than the speed of sound, it creates the thunderous noise of a sonic boom, powerful enough to be heard from miles away.

A sonic boom occurs when an object, like a supersonic jet, travels faster than sound, causing shock waves that produce a powerful noise. This phenomenon happens because the object compresses air molecules in front of it, creating a sudden change in pressure. When the object breaks the sound barrier, these shock waves combine to form a loud boom that can be heard over large areas. The term comes from sonic meaning "sound" and boom, from the loud noise itself.

Definitions of sonic boom

1. noun

   an explosive sound caused by the shock wave of an airplane traveling faster than the speed of sound
   “a sonic boom follows an aircraft as a wake follows a ship”

   type of:

   blast wave, shock wave

   a region of high pressure travelling through a gas at a high velocity