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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With the capability of hitting beyond even Moscow, the sophisticated high-precision long-range cruise missile could increase Ukraine’s ability to strike further into Russia and better target not only its military complex, but its oil industry, which has largely funded Putin’s war chest. Caitlin McFall, FOXNews.com, 17 Oct. 2025 After weeks of signaling stronger military support—including the possible transfer of Tomahawk cruise missiles—Trump announced plans for a new summit with Russian President Vladimir Putin in Budapest. Amanda Castro, MSNBC Newsweek, 17 Oct. 2025 Ukraine’s use of Tomahawks — subsonic cruise missiles that can strike targets from 1,000 miles away —would give the country the ability to ramp up its counterattacks on Russia. Lillian Rizzo, CNBC, 13 Oct. 2025 On paper, in 2027, Taiwan will have seen more HIMARS, NASAMS, drones, cruise missiles, and upgraded fighters delivered than at any point in its history. Kapil Kajal, Interesting Engineering, 8 Oct. 2025 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 23 Oct. 2025.

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