ballistic missile

American  

noun

Rocketry.

1. any missile that, after being launched and possibly guided during takeoff, travels unpowered in a ballistic trajectory.

---

ballistic missile British  

noun

1. a missile that has no wings or fins and that follows a ballistic trajectory when its propulsive power is discontinued

---

Etymology

Origin of ballistic missile

First recorded in 1950–55

Compare meaning

How does ballistic-missile compare to similar and commonly confused words? Explore the most common comparisons:

• cruise missile vs. ballistic missile

Example Sentences

China operates six nuclear-powered ballistic missile submarines that can carry up to 12 missiles each, according to a 2024 Pentagon report to the US Congress.

From Barron's • Jul. 8, 2026

Tuvalu Prime Minister Feleti Teo said his nation shared the "grave and serious concern and disappointment of other Pacific leaders" at the launch of the nuclear-capable ballistic missile.

From Barron's • Jul. 8, 2026

The images show a variety of targets hit from ammunition storage areas to ballistic missile infrastructure, nuclear and surface-to-air missile sites, and naval bases, according to military intelligence company Janes.

From BBC • Jul. 3, 2026

Twice, a Kinzhal ballistic missile landed within a six-mile radius of the latter.

From The Wall Street Journal • Jun. 22, 2026

That year, its research in lightweight thermonuclear bombs came together with the navy’s urgent desire for a nuclear ballistic missile that could be launched from a forthcoming class of submarines with unprecedented range.

From "Big Science" by Michael Hiltzik

Related Words

• intercontinental ballistic missile
• surface-to-air missile