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

Ukrainian manufacturer Fire Point has developed the FP-5 Flamingo cruise missile. — Brad Lendon, CNN Money, 24 Aug. 2026

These include ballistic missiles, low-flying cruise missiles, aircraft, hypersonic threats, ships, and other surface targets. — Christopher McFadden, Interesting Engineering, 23 Aug. 2026

Ukraine's Defense Intelligence Russia has carried out its strategic air campaign against Ukraine with traditional ballistic and cruise missiles and increasing numbers of small, low-cost attack drones. — David Hambling, Forbes.com, 21 Aug. 2026

So far, Ukraine has relied on cheap long-range drones and cruise missiles to strike deep into Russian territory, but these weapons are slower and easier to shoot down once detected. — Aidan Stretch, CBS News, 16 Aug. 2026

Word History

First Known Use

1959, in the meaning defined above

Rhymes for cruise missile

• abyssal
• dismissal
• epistle
• bristle
• fissile
• gristle
• missal
• nissl
• thistle
• whistle