ballistics

noun

bal·​lis·​tics bə-ˈli-stiks 

plural in form but singular or plural in construction

1

a

: the science of the motion of projectiles in flight

b

: the flight characteristics of a projectile

2

a

: the study of the processes within a firearm as it is fired

b

: the firing characteristics of a firearm or cartridge

Word History

Etymology

New Latin ballisticus ballistic + -ics, after New Latin ballistica

First Known Use

1675, in the meaning defined at sense 1a

Rhymes for ballistics

• heuristics
• linguistics
• logistics
• statistics
• stylistics
• biostatistics
• characteristics
• psycholinguistics
• mystics
• sociolinguistics

Kids Definition

ballistics

noun singular or plural

bal·​lis·​tics bə-ˈlis-tiks 

1

: the science that deals with the motion of objects (as bullets or rockets) that are thrown or driven forward

2

: the flight characteristics of an object (as a bullet or rocket) that is thrown or driven forward

Legal Definition

ballistics

noun plural but singular or plural in construction

bal·​lis·​tics bə-ˈlis-tiks 

1

a

: the science of the motion of projectiles (as bullets) in flight

b

: the flight characteristics of a projectile (as a bullet)

2

: the study of the processes within a firearm as it is fired