projectile

American  

[pruh-jek-til, -tahyl] / prəˈdʒɛk tɪl, -taɪl /

noun

1. an object fired from a gun with an explosive propelling charge, such as a bullet, shell, rocket, or grenade.

2. a body projected or impelled forward, as through the air.

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adjective

1. impelling or driving forward, as a force.

2. caused by impulse, as motion.

3. capable of being impelled forward, as a missile.

4. Zoology. protrusile, as the jaws of a fish.

projectile British  

/ prəˈdʒɛktaɪl /

noun

1. an object or body thrown forwards

2. any self-propelling missile, esp one powered by a rocket or the rocket itself

3. any object that can be fired from a gun, such as a bullet or shell

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adjective

1. capable of being or designed to be hurled forwards

2. projecting or thrusting forwards

3. zoology another word for protrusile

Etymology

Origin of projectile

1655–65; < New Latin, neuter of prōjectilis (adj.) projecting. See project, -ile

Explanation

A projectile is a type of weapon that is propelled towards its target. If you fire a cannon, the cannonball is a projectile, but the cannon itself is not. When projectile refers to a weapon, it is always propelled by something else. Think of the bullet in a gun or a spear thrown by a person. A rocket, which is self-propelled, is also called a projectile. As an adjective, projectile means "propelled forward" as in a projectile force or weapon. Sometimes you see the expression, projectile vomiting, a particularly violent way to throw up.

Example Sentences

In 2027 or early 2028, Japanese forces will bring to Kyushu another new homegrown missile—the Hyper Velocity Gliding Projectile, designed to evade enemy defenses—after deploying one in central Japan this year.

From The Wall Street Journal • Mar. 31, 2026

Projectile points dating back 6,500 years have been found at Pig Point and this season’s site.

From Washington Times • Nov. 7, 2015

Projectile motion is the motion of an object thrown or projected into the air, subject to only the acceleration of gravity.

From Textbooks • Aug. 12, 2015

Projectile vomiting because it comes out at such an incredible rate.

From The Guardian • Jan. 25, 2011

A round hole about a foot and a half in diameter appeared, bored through the floor of the Projectile.

From All Around the Moon by Roth, Edward

Related Words

• arrow
• bullet
• dart
• missile
• rocket
• torpedo