submunition

noun

sub·​mu·​ni·​tion (ˌ)səb-myü-ˈni-shən 

: any of a group of smaller weapons carried as a warhead by a missile or projectile and expelled as the carrier approaches its target

Examples of submunition in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

Instead of simply crashing into a target and detonating on impact, some variants are now able to release smaller submunitions during flight. —Vikram Mittal, Forbes.com, 28 June 2025

Rather than a conventional warhead, a cluster munition warhead carries dozens of submunitions that can explode on impact, showering small bomblets around a large area and posing major safety risks on the ground. —Arkansas Online, 20 June 2025

One of the submunitions was found in central Israel, prompting the Home Front Command to warn that dozens more may be scattered across a wide area and could detonate if disturbed. —Amanda Castro shane Croucher, MSNBC Newsweek, 19 June 2025

Cluster munitions release submunitions, or bomblets, which can spread over a wide area and pose a significant threat to civilians. —Nicholas Creel, MSNBC Newsweek, 19 Apr. 2025

Word History

First Known Use

1969, in the meaning defined above

Rhymes for submunition

• abolition
• acquisition
• admonition
• ammunition
• apparition
• apposition
• coalition
• competition
• composition
• definition
• deglutition
• demolition