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
The port was struck with ballistic missiles, said Oleh Kiper, the head of the Odesa region.
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CBS News, 20 Dec. 2025
The National Nuclear Security Administration (NNSA), part of the US Department of Energy, has finished the last production unit of the W88 Alteration 370 program, a significant step in updating an important nuclear warhead used on Ohio-class ballistic missile submarines.
—Kapil Kajal, Interesting Engineering, 18 Dec. 2025
Ukraine's air force said that Russia overnight launched ballistic missiles and 138 attack drones at Ukraine.
—Arkansas Online, 15 Dec. 2025
What To Know Lukashenko also confirmed that Russia’s Oreshnik intermediate-range ballistic missile system will enter combat duty in Belarus in December and will be deployed across the country.
—Jason Lemon, MSNBC Newsweek, 9 Dec. 2025
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CBS News, 20 Dec. 2025
The National Nuclear Security Administration (NNSA), part of the US Department of Energy, has finished the last production unit of the W88 Alteration 370 program, a significant step in updating an important nuclear warhead used on Ohio-class ballistic missile submarines.
—Kapil Kajal, Interesting Engineering, 18 Dec. 2025
Ukraine's air force said that Russia overnight launched ballistic missiles and 138 attack drones at Ukraine.
—Arkansas Online, 15 Dec. 2025
What To Know Lukashenko also confirmed that Russia’s Oreshnik intermediate-range ballistic missile system will enter combat duty in Belarus in December and will be deployed across the country.
—Jason Lemon, MSNBC Newsweek, 9 Dec. 2025
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 22 Dec. 2025.
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