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 military operation included hits on ballistic missile storage facilities, according to reports, as war rages on in the Middle East. —Washington Examiner Staff, The Washington Examiner, 24 Mar. 2026

Russia also launched 23 cruise missiles and seven ballistic missiles at Ukraine during the night, hitting at least 10 locations across the country, according to the air force. —ABC News, 24 Mar. 2026

This effort also helped spur Iran's ballistic missile and drone program. —Scott Neuman, NPR, 24 Mar. 2026

According to the Times of Israel, the Israeli Air Force was investigating the failure to intercept the ballistic missile that struck Tel Aviv. —CBS News, 24 Mar. 2026

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