ballistic missile

noun

plural ballistic missiles
: a usually rocket-powered missile that is launched in a high arc under guidance for its ascent but that is unpowered and unguided once it begins its descent compare cruise missile, guided missile

Examples of ballistic missile in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web
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Ukraine has been doubling down on efforts to make its own weapons, from millions of drones per year to cruise and ballistic missiles. Justin Gest, Newsweek, 20 Jan. 2025 The Houthis have also attacked American and allied military shipping in the region, plus launched drone and ballistic missile strikes into Israel. David Brennan, ABC News, 20 Jan. 2025 Iran has sent short-range ballistic missiles and drones to Russia, according to U.S. and European officials, to aid the Kremlin’s war effort. Ivan Nechepurenko, New York Times, 17 Jan. 2025 Satellite photos from China’s northwestern desert show a major recent expansion of what experts believe are ballistic missile silos. Joshua Keating, Vox, 15 Jan. 2025 See all Example Sentences for ballistic missile 

Word History

First Known Use

1950, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of ballistic missile was in 1950

Dictionary Entries Near ballistic missile

Cite this Entry

“Ballistic missile.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/ballistic%20missile. Accessed 26 Jan. 2025.

Kids Definition

ballistic missile

noun
: a missile that moves under its own power, is guided as it rises in a steeply curving path, and falls freely on the way back to earth

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