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
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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 See all Example Sentences for ballistic missile 

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

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