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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Kuwait shot down the ballistic missile, the American and Kuwaiti militaries said. Kyla Guilfoil, NBC news, 29 May 2026 In March, Iran is believed to have launched two intermediate-range ballistic missiles at Diego Garcia, a joint US-UK military base in the Indian Ocean, 2,000 miles from Iran, in what appeared to be its first attempt to target the base. Cnn Staff, CNN Money, 29 May 2026 In total, Russia attacked with 232 drones and one ballistic missile. Stephen McGrath, Los Angeles Times, 29 May 2026 The latest military activity in southern Iran came just hours after the Pentagon said Tehran had fired a ballistic missile toward Kuwait and deployed attack drones in and around the Strait of Hormuz. Hugh Leask,joseph Wilkins, CNBC, 29 May 2026 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

Browse Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Ballistic missile.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/ballistic%20missile. Accessed 4 Jun. 2026.

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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