cruise missile

noun

: a guided missile that has a terrain-following radar system and that flies at moderate speed and low altitude

Examples of cruise missile in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web
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In a daily update carried by Russian state media, the ministry said its air defenses shot down five Flamingo long-range cruise missiles over the previous 24 hours. Efrat Lachter, FOXNews.com, 13 Feb. 2026 More recently, thousands of Stingers have been sent to Ukraine to counter Russian cruise missiles and helicopters. David Szondy february 08, New Atlas, 8 Feb. 2026 This puts it safely within the light cruise missile-grade of loitering munitions, suggesting it is probably intended for use against hardened or high-value targets. Christopher McFadden, Interesting Engineering, 4 Feb. 2026 Meanwhile, the destroyers bring with them hundreds of missiles, which could include dozens of Tomahawk land attack cruise missiles. Konstantin Toropin, Los Angeles Times, 26 Jan. 2026 See All Example Sentences for cruise missile

Word History

First Known Use

1959, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of cruise missile was in 1959

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Cite this Entry

“Cruise missile.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/cruise%20missile. Accessed 18 Feb. 2026.

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