surface-to-air

adjective

sur·​face-to-air ˈsər-fəs-ˌtü-ˈer How to pronounce surface-to-air (audio)
: launched from the ground against a target in the air

Examples of surface-to-air in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web Several witnesses either heard or saw Ukrainian forces firing surface-to-air missiles from Druzhkivka toward Kostiantynivka at the time of the market strike. Alexander Cardia, New York Times, 18 Sep. 2023 The State Department said that Li was involved in purchasing Su-35 combat aircraft and materials for S-400 surface-to-air missiles from a sanctioned Russian company. Fox News, 13 Sep. 2023 The missile was fired by an S-300 surface-to-air missile system, used by both Russia and Ukraine, and Poland refrained from any action under NATO’s framework after concluding that there was no evidence it had been fired by Russia. Amar Nadhir, Washington Post, 6 Sep. 2023 Each armored silo could store one SM-2 surface-to-air missile, Tomahawk land-attack missile, or ASROC anti-submarine rocket torpedo. Kyle Mizokami, Popular Mechanics, 1 Sep. 2023 Table of surface-to-air launch performance of missile compatible, or potentially compatible, with 2K12 launcher. Sébastien Roblin, Popular Mechanics, 30 Aug. 2023 There was no indication a surface-to-air missile was the cause of the crash, according to the U.S. Department of Defense. Meredith Deliso, ABC News, 29 Aug. 2023 Again, nothing to indicate, no information to suggest that there was a surface-to-air missile. Mike Brest, Washington Examiner, 28 Aug. 2023 There is no evidence to support the idea that the jet was downed by a surface-to-air missile, Brig. Alexander Smith, NBC News, 25 Aug. 2023 See More

These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'surface-to-air.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.

Word History

First Known Use

1949, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of surface-to-air was in 1949

Dictionary Entries Near surface-to-air

Cite this Entry

“Surface-to-air.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/surface-to-air. Accessed 1 Oct. 2023.

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
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