projectile

1 of 2

noun

pro·​jec·​tile prə-ˈjek-tᵊl How to pronounce projectile (audio) -ˌtī(-ə)l How to pronounce projectile (audio)
 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
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
Noun
Collect all five Dinozords to build the giant articulated Megazord with projectile launchers. Pamela Brill, Parents, 2 Oct. 2025 The flintlock’s round ball projectile passed completely through its lungs, and the buck ran only 30 yards before falling dead. Bob McNally, Outdoor Life, 2 Oct. 2025
Adjective
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 Hopefully, there won’t be any more projectile dildos threatening the safety of players moving forward. Armon Sadler, VIBE.com, 30 July 2025 See All Example Sentences for projectile

Word History

First Known Use

Noun

1564, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Adjective

1715, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Time Traveler
The first known use of projectile was in 1564

Browse Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Projectile.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/projectile. Accessed 8 Oct. 2025.

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
Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
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