Longman Dictionary of Contemporary English
Wiktionary
n. 1 (context uncountable English) sonic barrier, popular, non-scientific term for the sudden increase in drag (resistance) and other effects experienced by moving objects when their speed approaches that of sound or becomes supersonic (which used to be considered a barrier to higher speeds). 2 (context countable English) A noise barrier, a structure beside a highway designed to reduce the noise of traffic.
WordNet
n. the increase in aerodynamic drag as an airplane approaches the speed of sound [syn: sonic barrier]
Wikipedia
Sound Barrier was a pioneering all-black heavy metal quartet from Los Angeles, California, whose members went on to record and tour with acts such as Masi, Total Eclipse, Mother's Finest and Fishbone.
Sound barrier may refer to:
- Sound barrier, the transition at transonic speeds from subsonic to supersonic travel, usually referring to flight.
- The Sound Barrier, a British 1952 film directed by David Lean.
- Sound Barrier, a heavy metal band from Los Angeles that played from 1980 to 1987.
- Noise barrier, an exterior structure designed to protect sensitive land uses from noise pollution.
- Sound Barrier: brand of Speaker Systems and Audio Products.
- Beyond the Sound Barrier, a 2005 album by Wayne Shorter
Usage examples of "sound barrier".
They once said that heavier-than-air craft could never fly under their own power, and for many years it was believed that the sound barrier was so absolute, its vibrations would tear an airplane apart.
Whether thrown by silent engines or by those employing a cold, particle-beam drive, the missiles heated upon breaking the sound barrier, which allowed one to trace the thermal part of their trails and extrapolate back to the launchers.
Jedrik leaned back, looked across her doorless office to the sound barrier and milky light of the hall.
If the bullet breaks the sound barrier, it sort of defeats the point of a silenced weapon.
A hundred and forty-five million years before humans, the diplos had been the first animals on Earth to break the sound barrier.
The bottom of the broken sound barrier rocketed back at them as it echoed against the African peaks.
Whether the President heard the whipcrack from the sound barrier, travelling on a narrow line down the flight path of the bullet, is not known.
The tip of the rag breaks the sound barrier and generates a tiny sonic pop that blasts a dust mote from the top of a switch.
Lee's good neighbor policy, all Rat Things are programmed never to break the sound barrier in a populated area.
Theyd managed to break down the chain of command and pierce the sound barrier Rutaro had set in place.