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

No injuries were reported, and authorities are investigating the source of the projectile, according to the British military. —Karissa Waddick, USA Today, 11 May 2026

The Israeli military has said on several occasions that Hezbollah projectiles landed in northern Israel, after the US announced a ceasefire deal between Israel and Lebanon to come into effect at midnight local time on April 17. —Mustafa Qadri, CNN Money, 8 May 2026

Adjective

Many local police have more stringent requirements, including Washington, DC, where officers are instructed not to use projectile launchers, including pepper balls, within six feet of targets. —Bob Ortega, CNN Money, 10 Mar. 2026

Survivor 49 kicked off Wednesday night with two-hour premiere filled with projectile vomit, blatant puzzle copying, and a new bromance for the ages. —Dalton Ross, Entertainment Weekly, 25 Sep. 2025

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

Rhymes for projectile

• erectile
• anorectal
• colorectal
• dialectal
• rectal

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