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warhead

noun

war·​head ˈwȯr-ˌhed How to pronounce warhead (audio)
: the section of a missile containing the explosive, chemical, or incendiary charge

Examples of warhead in a Sentence

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.
The Pentagon said in a report last year that China is expanding its nuclear warhead production infrastructure and may be preparing to operate its Lop Nur test site year-round, raising concerns about the lack of transparency in its testing activities. Ryan Chan, MSNBC Newsweek, 27 Nov. 2025 Midcourse intercept requires more sophisticated sensors to distinguish the actual warhead from decoys. Kapil Kajal, Interesting Engineering, 26 Nov. 2025 There are actually fewer warheads now than there were at the height of the Cold War. Ted Johnson, Deadline, 16 Nov. 2025 China's nuclear stockpile hit 600 warheads by 2025 with the goal to expand to 1,500 by 2035, according to the report. Mitch Picasso, FOXNews.com, 14 Nov. 2025 See All Example Sentences for warhead

Word History

First Known Use

1890, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of warhead was in 1890

Browse Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Warhead.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/warhead. Accessed 30 Nov. 2025.

Kids Definition

warhead

noun
war·​head ˈwȯ(ə)r-ˌhed How to pronounce warhead (audio)
: the section of a missile containing the charge

More from Merriam-Webster on warhead

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