missile

[mis-uhl, -ahyl]

noun

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

2. guided missile.

3. ballistic missile.

adjective

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

2. used or designed for discharging missiles.

missile

/ 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

Word History and Origins

Origin of missile¹

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

Word History and Origins

Origin of missile¹

C17: from Latin: missilis , from mittere to send

Example Sentences

Western security agencies say these funds are used to finance North Korea's nuclear weapons and missile development programs.

From BBC

Russia pounded Ukraine with missile and drone attacks overnight on Saturday and into Sunday morning, focusing on the major western city of Lviv.

From BBC

Russia has intensified its aerial assaults on Ukraine in recent weeks, regularly launching hundreds of drones and dozens of missiles.

From BBC

The RAF's 2 Space Warning Squadron take us through the drill of how they detect a missile launch.

From BBC

The court heard how the group of officers he was with initially wore baseball caps and had no riot helmets or shields, before putting on flame-retardant suits once missiles were being thrown.

From BBC

Related Words

• ammunition 
• bomb 
• bullet 
• projectile 
• rocket