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
What To Know The Chinese military parade featured a formation composed of three air defense missile systems—the HQ-11, the HQ-20 and the HQ-22A—and three anti-ballistic missile systems—the HQ-9C, the HQ-19 and the HQ-29—the state-run Global Times reported.
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Ryan Chan, MSNBC Newsweek, 4 Sep. 2025
This generates exponentially more kinetic energy on impact, allowing the interceptor to defeat ballistic missiles, cruise missiles, hypersonic weapons, and aircraft.
—Kapil Kajal, Interesting Engineering, 4 Sep. 2025
Tens of thousands of spectators in Beijing looked on as the People’s Republic unveiled laser weapons, nuclear ballistic missiles, and giant underwater drones alongside armored vehicles, tanks, and parading soldiers whose marching prowess put the rest of the world to shame.
—Kerry Brown, Time, 4 Sep. 2025
The parade displayed large numbers of Chinese troops and military equipment, ranging from tanks and drones to long-range and nuclear ballistic missiles.
—David Zimmermann, The Washington Examiner, 3 Sep. 2025
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Ryan Chan, MSNBC Newsweek, 4 Sep. 2025
This generates exponentially more kinetic energy on impact, allowing the interceptor to defeat ballistic missiles, cruise missiles, hypersonic weapons, and aircraft.
—Kapil Kajal, Interesting Engineering, 4 Sep. 2025
Tens of thousands of spectators in Beijing looked on as the People’s Republic unveiled laser weapons, nuclear ballistic missiles, and giant underwater drones alongside armored vehicles, tanks, and parading soldiers whose marching prowess put the rest of the world to shame.
—Kerry Brown, Time, 4 Sep. 2025
The parade displayed large numbers of Chinese troops and military equipment, ranging from tanks and drones to long-range and nuclear ballistic missiles.
—David Zimmermann, The Washington Examiner, 3 Sep. 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 9 Sep. 2025.
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