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ballistic missile
noun
plural ballistic missiles
: a usually rocket-powered missile that is launched in a high arc under guidance for its ascent but that is unpowered and unguided once it begins its descent compare cruise missile, guided missile
Examples of ballistic missile in a Sentence
Recent Examples on the Web
The Russian military, in response, fired a new, intermediate-range ballistic missile at Ukraine.
—Tara Suter, The Hill, 28 Nov. 2024
The hypersonic intermediate range ballistic missile system — that Putin says cannot be intercepted — was first used by Russia last week against a weapons factory in the eastern Ukrainian city of Dnipro.
—Willem Marx, NPR, 28 Nov. 2024
In response, Putin updated Russia’s nuclear doctrine and fired a new, nuclear-capable ballistic missile at Ukraine.
—Christian Edwards, CNN, 28 Nov. 2024
As if to underscore that message, on November 21st, Russia launched a next-generation intermediate-range ballistic missile, called Oreshnik, at Dnipro, a regional capital in southeastern Ukraine.
—Joshua Yaffa, The New Yorker, 27 Nov. 2024
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Word History
First Known Use
1950, in the meaning defined above
Time Traveler
The first known use of ballistic missile was
in 1950
Dictionary Entries Near ballistic missile
Cite this Entry
“Ballistic missile.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/ballistic%20missile. Accessed 3 Dec. 2024.
Kids Definition
ballistic missile
noun
: a missile that moves under its own power, is guided as it rises in a steeply curving path, and falls freely on the way back to earth
More from Merriam-Webster on ballistic missile
Britannica English: Translation of ballistic missile for Arabic Speakers
Britannica.com: Encyclopedia article about ballistic missile
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