the sound barrier
noun/ðə ˈsaʊnd bæriə(r)/
/ðə ˈsaʊnd bæriər/
[singular]- the point at which an aircraft’s speed is the same as the speed of sound, causing reduced control, a very loud noise (called a sonic boom) and various other effects
- to break the sound barrier (= to travel faster than the speed of sound)
Definitions on the go
Look up any word in the dictionary offline, anytime, anywhere with the Oxford Advanced Learner’s Dictionary app.
Check pronunciation:
the sound barrier