Sound Barrier

Pronunciation: /saʊnd ˈbɛriər/

Definitions of sound barrier

noun a physical phenomenon that prevents the passage of sound waves

Example Sentences

A1 The sound barrier is the limit to how fast sound can travel.

A2 Pilots have to break through the sound barrier when flying at supersonic speeds.

B1 Scientists have been studying ways to break the sound barrier without causing a sonic boom.

B2 The development of new technology has allowed aircraft to surpass the sound barrier more efficiently.

C1 Breaking the sound barrier was once considered impossible until it was achieved in the 1940s.

C2 The sound barrier is a phenomenon that has fascinated researchers and engineers for decades.

Examples of sound barrier in a Sentence

formal The aircraft broke through the sound barrier during its supersonic flight.

informal Did you hear that plane break the sound barrier? It was so loud!

slang That car goes so fast, it feels like it's about to break the sound barrier!

figurative She felt like she was hitting a sound barrier in her career, unable to move forward.

Grammatical Forms of sound barrier

• plural: sound barriers
• comparative: more sound barrier
• superlative: most sound barrier
• present tense: sound barrier
• future tense: will sound barrier
• perfect tense: has sounded barrier
• continuous tense: is sounding barrier
• singular: sound barrier
• positive degree: sound barrier
• infinitive: to sound barrier
• gerund: sounding barrier
• participle: sounded barrier

Origin and Evolution of sound barrier

First Known Use: 1947 year

Language of Origin: English

Story behind the word: The term 'sound barrier' originated in the field of aeronautics to describe the difficulty of breaking the speed of sound.

Evolution of the word: Originally used to describe the physical barrier of sound waves at the speed of sound, the term has evolved to also represent the metaphorical barrier that was believed to exist in achieving supersonic flight.