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
When the war in Gaza erupted, the Houthis fired ballistic missiles and drones at Israel, in solidarity with the Palestinians, and imposed their chokehold on Red Sea shipping lanes.
—
Sudarsan Raghavan, New Yorker, 12 Mar. 2026
The North Atlantic Treaty Organization intercepted a ballistic missile fired from Iran toward Turkey on Monday, the second such incident, raising the risk the military alliance could be drawn more directly into the conflict.
—Arkansas Online, 10 Mar. 2026
Christopher Cann Turkey's Defense Ministry said Monday that NATO air defenses shot down a ballistic missile fired from Iran.
—Thao Nguyen, USA Today, 10 Mar. 2026
The notice sheds light on the wide-ranging steps military commanders will need to take to remove Anthropic AI from key national security systems, including those for nuclear weapons, ballistic missile defense and cyber warfare.
—Michael Kaplan, CBS News, 10 Mar. 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.
Sudarsan Raghavan, New Yorker, 12 Mar. 2026
The North Atlantic Treaty Organization intercepted a ballistic missile fired from Iran toward Turkey on Monday, the second such incident, raising the risk the military alliance could be drawn more directly into the conflict.
—Arkansas Online, 10 Mar. 2026
Christopher Cann Turkey's Defense Ministry said Monday that NATO air defenses shot down a ballistic missile fired from Iran.
—Thao Nguyen, USA Today, 10 Mar. 2026
The notice sheds light on the wide-ranging steps military commanders will need to take to remove Anthropic AI from key national security systems, including those for nuclear weapons, ballistic missile defense and cyber warfare.
—Michael Kaplan, CBS News, 10 Mar. 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 13 Mar. 2026.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
