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
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.
Longer-range ballistic missiles can travel outside the atmosphere before re-entering in the final phase. — Atharva Gosavi, Interesting Engineering, 30 June 2026 Forty-eight missiles and 476 drones were shot down or suppressed, but 25 ballistic missiles and 12 drones struck 33 locations. — Katya Soldak, Forbes.com, 2 July 2026 Yuri Ihnat, the Air Force spokesperson, said the number of ballistic missiles was unusually high and the interception rate for them was low. — Gleb Garanich, USA Today, 2 July 2026 In a later post on Telegram, Klitschko said Kyiv also came under ballistic missile attack, with five people injured in one of the central districts. — Reuters, NBC news, 2 July 2026 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

Rhymes for ballistic missile

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Browse Nearby Words

ballistician
ballistic missile
ballistic pendulum
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Cite this Entry

“Ballistic missile.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/ballistic%20missile. Accessed 8 Jul. 2026.

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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.com: Encyclopedia article about ballistic missile

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