plural ICBM's or ICBMs ˌī-ˌsē-(ˌ)bē-ˈemz How to pronounce ICBM (audio)
: an intercontinental ballistic missile

Examples of ICBM in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web The United States first deployed it in 1970 with the Minuteman III ICBM, according to the National Museum of the US Air Force. Brad Lendon, CNN, 12 Mar. 2024 Air Force Global Strike Command test launched an unarmed Minuteman III intercontinental ballistic missile (ICBM) from the Vandenberg Space Force Base in California. Fox News, 6 Sep. 2023 In July, North Korea held a major military parade featuring two models of intercontinental ballistic missiles (ICBM) as part of its commemorations of the Korean War armistice, known as Victory Day by Pyongyang, even though the grueling conflict ended in stalemate and the peninsula divided. Larry Register, CNN, 6 Aug. 2023 The 1950-1953 Korean War was one of the first international conflicts of the Cold War era. ICBMs at military parade Putin’s speech came as Pyongyang held a large military parade featuring two models of intercontinental ballistic missiles (ICBM) as part of its armistice commemorations. Gawon Bae, CNN, 28 July 2023 On April 19, the U.S. Air Force conducted a test of a Minuteman III intercontinental ballistic missile (ICBM). Popular Mechanics, 28 Apr. 2023

These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'ICBM.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.

Word History

First Known Use

1955, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of ICBM was in 1955

Dictionary Entries Near ICBM

Cite this Entry

“ICBM.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/ICBM. Accessed 19 Mar. 2024.

Kids Definition

: an intercontinental ballistic missile
Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
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