projectile

1 of 2

noun

pro·​jec·​tile prə-ˈjek-tᵊl  -ˌtī(-ə)l 

 chiefly British  ˈprä-jik-ˌtī(-ə)l

1

: a body projected by external force and continuing in motion by its own inertia

especially : a missile for a weapon (such as a firearm)

2

: a self-propelling weapon (such as a rocket)

projectile

2 of 2

adjective

1

: projecting or impelling forward

a projectile force

2

: capable of being thrust forward

Examples of projectile in a Sentence

Noun

The cannon fires a ten-pound projectile.

Someone threw a projectile at her car.

Recent Examples on the Web

Noun

Parents should look for dual straps that crisscross and can be tightened both vertically and horizontally over each other to minimize the risk of the object sliding or becoming a projectile. —Laura Lu, Ms, Parents, 12 June 2024

Hezbollah’s attack, which the Israel Defense Forces said involved at least two waves of about 215 projectiles, represented a major escalation in the simmering battle on Israel’s northern border that has consistently threatened to explode into all-out war. —Bryan Pietsch, Washington Post, 12 June 2024

Adjective

This, together with competition from H. sapiens, who likely possessed technologies like projectile weapons, likely contributed to these other human species going extinct. —Conor Feehly, Discover Magazine, 11 Oct. 2023

There are projectile weapons, energy swords, missile launchers, shields, and more. —Ash Parrish, The Verge, 25 July 2023

Word History

First Known Use

Noun

1564, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Adjective

1715, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Phrases Containing projectile

• projectile vomiting

Kids Definition

projectile

noun

pro·​jec·​tile

prə-ˈjek-tᵊl

: something (as a bullet or rocket) thrown or driven forward especially from or for use as a weapon