surface-to-air

[ sur-fis-too-air ]

adjective

1. (of a missile, message, etc.) capable of traveling from the surface of the earth to a target in the atmosphere.

adverb

1. from the surface of the earth to a target in the atmosphere:

   an antimissile missile fired surface-to-air.

surface-to-air

adjective

1. of or relating to a missile launched from the surface of the earth against airborne targets

Word History and Origins

Origin of surface-to-air¹

First recorded in 1945–50

Example Sentences

“SA-6s are the least of our concerns for CAS in the modern age of surface-to-air missile system proliferation,” the official said.

From The Daily Beast

It was lunchtime when a tracked launcher with four SA-11 surface-to-air missiles rolled into town and parked on Karapetyan Street.

From The Daily Beast

He still required men who knew how to operate heavy weapons such as, say, surface-to-air missile batteries.

From The Daily Beast

Orders were given to use a new weapon, an S-75 Dvina surface-to-air missile, or SAM.

From The Daily Beast

But Predators are vulnerable to even the most obsolete surface-to-air missiles or air-to-air fighter aircraft.

From The Daily Beast

Air defenses include surface-to-air missiles, antiaircraft artillery, and early warning and aircraft control sites.

From Project Gutenberg

If a surface-to-air missile capability did exist at that time, the Chinese would have supplied the necessary replacements.

From Project Gutenberg

Air defense units received Soviet equipment between 1948 and 1961, including that required at a few surface-to-air missile sites.

From Project Gutenberg