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 drone can carry warheads weighing up to 88 pounds (40 kilograms) and uses Auterion’s Skynode N mission computer and Visual Navigation system for precise navigation and targeting. Sujita Sinha, Interesting Engineering, 16 Oct. 2025 Designed for striking high value or heavily defended land targets, Tomahawks can be fired from ground launchers but are typically launched from ships or submarines, and can be armed with conventional or nuclear warheads. Holly Ellyatt, CNBC, 13 Oct. 2025 Since that meeting in Beijing, state media has featured reports of new or improved North Korean weapons systems – among them the Hwasong-11Ma, with a maneuverable hypersonic warhead, and the Hwasong-20. Brad Lendon, CNN Money, 11 Oct. 2025 According to the Federation of American Scientists, Russia has a total inventory of 5,459 nuclear warheads, of which 1,718 are deployed. Shane Croucher, MSNBC Newsweek, 10 Oct. 2025 See All Example Sentences for warhead

Word History

First Known Use

1898, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of warhead was in 1898

Browse Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Warhead.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/warhead. Accessed 23 Oct. 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

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
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