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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Meanwhile, too many of Iran's ballistic missiles—considerably more lethal than the rockets typically fired into Israel from Hamas and Lebanon—were evading Israeli air defense. Josh Hammer, MSNBC Newsweek, 27 June 2025 Breakthrough announced after hostilities spread Netanyahu said Israel agreed to a bilateral ceasefire with Iran, in coordination with Trump, after the country achieved all of its war goals, including removing the threat of Iran’s nuclear and ballistic missile programs. Sam Mednick, Chicago Tribune, 24 June 2025 The Iranian triad, on which its power projections were based, was ballistic missiles, its nuclear program and its proxy network. Michel Martin, NPR, 24 June 2025 Advertisement The fragile ceasefire appeared to come about quickly late Monday, after Iran retaliated to the U.S. airstrike with a dangerous but largely symbolic volley of ballistic missiles targeting major U.S. base in Qatar. Brian Bennett, Time, 24 June 2025 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

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Cite this Entry

“Ballistic missile.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/ballistic%20missile. Accessed 30 Jun. 2025.

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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