submunition

noun

sub·​mu·​ni·​tion (ˌ)səb-myü-ˈni-shən How to pronounce submunition (audio)
: any of a group of smaller weapons carried as a warhead by a missile or projectile and expelled as the carrier approaches its target

Examples of submunition in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web
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Instead of simply crashing into a target and detonating on impact, some variants are now able to release smaller submunitions during flight. Vikram Mittal, Forbes.com, 28 June 2025 Rather than a conventional warhead, a cluster munition warhead carries dozens of submunitions that can explode on impact, showering small bomblets around a large area and posing major safety risks on the ground. Arkansas Online, 20 June 2025 One of the submunitions was found in central Israel, prompting the Home Front Command to warn that dozens more may be scattered across a wide area and could detonate if disturbed. Amanda Castro shane Croucher, MSNBC Newsweek, 19 June 2025 Cluster bombs are banned by more than 100 countries because of their devastating impact, spreading multiple submunitions or bomblets over an area as large as a city block, and that can kill, maim, and also lie dormant until triggered. Laura Kelly, The Hill, 6 Apr. 2025 See All Example Sentences for submunition

Word History

First Known Use

1969, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of submunition was in 1969

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Cite this Entry

“Submunition.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/submunition. Accessed 9 Sep. 2025.

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