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

On Thursday night, several drones flew close to a French naval base on the Atlantic coast housing nuclear ballistic missile submarines, French prosecutors told local media. —Tim Lister, CNN Money, 6 Dec. 2025

The base in question, Île Longue, is home to France’s fleet of nuclear ballistic missile submarines. —Christopher McFadden, Interesting Engineering, 6 Dec. 2025

Ukraine's air force said on Saturday morning that Russia launched 653 drones and 51 missiles -- 17 of them ballistic missiles -- into the country overnight. —David Brennan, ABC News, 6 Dec. 2025

Russia deployed 653 Shahed-type attack drones, 36 cruise missiles, and 17 ballistic missiles against targets nationwide. —Associate News Editor, MSNBC Newsweek, 6 Dec. 2025

Word History

First Known Use

1950, in the meaning defined above

Rhymes for ballistic missile

• abyssal
• dismissal
• epistle
• bristle
• fissile
• gristle
• missal
• nissl
• thistle
• whistle

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