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Definition of missile
1 : capable of being thrown or projected to strike a distant object
2 : adapted for throwing or hurling missiles
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Recent Examples of missile from the Web
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Missile experts say the North’s shift to solids came as a surprise.
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Missile experts haven't identified the four intermediate-range missiles that landed on Monday off the east coast of the Korean Peninsula, about 620 miles from its...
These example sentences are selected automatically from various online news sources to reflect current usage of the word 'missile'. Views expressed in the examples do not represent the opinion of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
Origin and Etymology of missile
Latin missilis, from mittere to throw, send
missile
Definition of missile
: an object (such as a weapon) thrown or projected usually so as to strike something at a distance stones, artillery shells, bullets, and rockets are missiles: such asa : guided missileb : ballistic missile
Recent Examples of missile from the Web
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Ryan's comments came after North Korea fired a ballistic missile Tuesday in the direction of Japan.
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North Korea's missile threats are no laughing matter.
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After North Korea launched its first successful intercontinental ballistic missile Tuesday, Kim Jong Un doesn’t want to back down.
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The U.S. confirmed a rocket launched by North Korea on July 4 was an intercontinental ballistic missile.
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Here's a YouTube video that includes launch footage of this gigantic missile.
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The original series aired only a few years after the Cuban missile crisis, at the height of the Vietnam War and the space race, and its vision of a reconciled humanity was bold.
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After the Castro regime took over, her grandfather dropped out in 1960 to work undercover for the CIA and later helped U.S. officials discover the location of Cuban missiles during the Cuban Missile Crisis.
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There is nothing surprising in the fact that our missiles worked, or that our Hornet could engage and destroy the Syrian Air Force jet with near impunity at the individual level.
These example sentences are selected automatically from various online news sources to reflect current usage of the word 'missile'. Views expressed in the examples do not represent the opinion of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
First Known Use of missile
circa 1656
MISSILE Defined for English Language Learners
missile
Definition of missile for English Language Learners
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: an object that is thrown, shot, or launched as a weapon; especially : a rocket that explodes when it hits a distant target
MISSILE Defined for Kids
missile
playDefinition of missile for Students
: an object (as a stone, arrow, bullet, or rocket) that is dropped, thrown, shot, or launched usually so as to strike something at a distance
Word Root of missile
The Latin word mittere, meaning “to send,” and its form missus give us the roots mit and miss. Words from the Latin mittere have something to do with sending. A missile is an object, such as a bullet, arrow, or rocket, that is sent through the air so as to hit a target. To emit is to send forth or give out. To omit, or leave out, is to send away so as to not be included. To permit, or allow, is to send something through without stopping it.
Learn More about missile
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See words that rhyme with missile Spanish Central: Translation of missile Nglish: Translation of missile for Spanish speakers Britannica English: Translation of missile for Arabic speakers Britannica.com: Encyclopedia article about missile
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