surface-to-air

adjective

sur·​face-to-air ˈsər-fəs-ˌtü-ˈer 

: launched from the ground against a target in the air

Examples of surface-to-air in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

The Patriot munition at a critical low is the Patriot Advanced Capability-3, or PAC-3, a high-velocity surface-to-air interceptor designed to destroy incoming tactical ballistic missiles and cruise missiles by ramming into them. — James Laporta, CBS News, 15 Oct. 2026

All 176 passengers and crew members on board were killed by Iranian surface-to-air missiles that brought the Boeing 737 airliner down, with Iranian authorities at first covering up the tragedy. — Etan Vlessing, HollywoodReporter, 5 Oct. 2026

Kupol, which makes drones and surface-to-air missiles, is the largest industrial enterprise in the Udmurtia region on the Volga River and more than doubled its output in 2025. — ABC News, 18 Sep. 2026

And reporting indicates China is sending Iran hundreds of surface-to-air missiles. — Tom Jurkowsky, Baltimore Sun, 23 Aug. 2026

Word History

First Known Use

1949, in the meaning defined above

Rhymes for surface-to-air

• extraordinaire
• multimillionaire
• abwehr
• affair
• affaire
• airfare
• altair
• armchair
• aware
• beware
• bugbear
• carfare