missile

American  

[mis-uhl, -ahyl] / ˈmɪs əl, -aɪl /

noun

• missiles
  plural

1. an object or weapon for throwing, hurling, or shooting, as a stone, bullet, or arrow.

2. guided missile.

3. ballistic missile.

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adjective

1. capable of being thrown, hurled, or shot, as from the hand or a gun.

2. used or designed for discharging missiles.

missile British  

/ ˈmɪsaɪl /

noun

1. any object or weapon that is thrown at a target or shot from an engine, gun, etc

2. 1. a rocket-propelled weapon that flies either in a fixed trajectory (ballistic missile) or in a trajectory that can be controlled during flight (guided missile)

   2. ( as modifier )

      a missile carrier

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Other Word Forms

Noun Inflected Forms

• missiles
  plural

Etymology

Origin of missile

1600–10; < Latin, neuter of missilis, equivalent to miss ( us ) (past participle of mittere to send, throw) + -ilis -ile

Explanation

A missile is an object that can be projected toward a target. Examples include a spitball shot through a straw, a poison-tipped arrow sent via bow, or a self-propelled heat-seeking rocket, designed to take out targets at long range. When you learn about the Cuban Missile Crisis in history, the missiles in question were guided rockets loaded with nuclear warheads, supplied to the Cubans by the Soviet Union. A missile defense strategy is one where you send up defensive missile to blow up your enemy's offensive ones before they can reach you.

Example Sentences

See Examples For:

missile missiles

Acting US Navy Secretary Hung Cao said the contract will "accelerate Tomahawk missile delivery to our warfighters at unprecedented speed."

From Barron's ● Aug. 17, 2026

Experts say that North Korea has expanded its nuclear and missile capabilities since the breakdown of Trump's negotiations with Kim, whom he last met in person in 2019.

From Barron's ● Aug. 16, 2026

That weakness led Iran to focus on the ballistic missile program it has used to pound U.S. bases and targets across the Gulf.

From The Wall Street Journal ● Aug. 16, 2026

The decision comes after North Korea this month conducted ballistic missile tests that are banned by the United Nations.

From BBC ● Aug. 16, 2026

This message took the form of a stolen missile launched at the Fowl Star on her way past Murmansk.

From "Artemis Fowl" by Eoin Colfer

The Revolutionary Guard supervised deployments of missiles, naval weapons and drone launchers to positions overlooking the Red Sea.

From The Wall Street Journal ● Aug. 17, 2026

The report also described how Russia has deployed antiship missiles, warplanes and other military equipment to the Kuril Islands visited by Putin.

From The Wall Street Journal ● Aug. 13, 2026

In the past, North Korean missiles have flown over Japan, triggering sirens, smartphone alerts and special programming on television.

From Barron's ● Aug. 11, 2026

Older Air Force One planes have laser technology to blind incoming missiles, sources have told CBS News.

From BBC ● Aug. 11, 2026

They bulldozed the launch pads, drove the missiles to ports, loaded them onto ships, and sailed for home.

From "Fallout: Spies, Superbombs, and the Ultimate Cold War Showdown" by Steve Sheinkin

Related Words

• ammunition
• bomb
• bullet
• projectile
• rocket