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
Russia on Thursday also continued its nightly long-range attacks on Ukraine, firing at least seven ballistic missiles and 239 drones at Ukraine overnight, the General Staff of the Armed Forces of Ukraine said in an update posted on social media.
—
Kevin Shalvey, ABC News, 18 June 2026
Trump defended allowing Iran to keep some of its ballistic missiles, despite Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth claiming repeatedly those weapons had been destroyed.
—Sara Dorn, Forbes.com, 18 June 2026
Zelensky held talks Thursday in Brussels with NATO and European Union leaders, and the German and Ukrainian defense ministers signed an agreement to jointly develop an air defense system to counter ballistic missiles.
—Barry Hatton, Los Angeles Times, 18 June 2026
Zelenskyy held talks Thursday in Brussels with NATO and European Union leaders, and the German and Ukrainian defense ministers signed an agreement to jointly develop an air defense system to counter ballistic missiles.
—Barry Hatton, Chicago Tribune, 18 June 2026
See All Example Sentences for ballistic missile
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to
show current usage.
Read More
Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors.
Send us feedback.
Kevin Shalvey, ABC News, 18 June 2026
Trump defended allowing Iran to keep some of its ballistic missiles, despite Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth claiming repeatedly those weapons had been destroyed.
—Sara Dorn, Forbes.com, 18 June 2026
Zelensky held talks Thursday in Brussels with NATO and European Union leaders, and the German and Ukrainian defense ministers signed an agreement to jointly develop an air defense system to counter ballistic missiles.
—Barry Hatton, Los Angeles Times, 18 June 2026
Zelenskyy held talks Thursday in Brussels with NATO and European Union leaders, and the German and Ukrainian defense ministers signed an agreement to jointly develop an air defense system to counter ballistic missiles.
—Barry Hatton, Chicago Tribune, 18 June 2026
See All Example Sentences for ballistic missile
Cite this Entry
“Ballistic missile.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/ballistic%20missile. Accessed 23 Jun. 2026.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
