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

At least two Patriot interceptors are typically required to destroy a single ballistic missile—often followed by a third or more if the first pair fail.

From The Wall Street Journal

Before the war, it was estimated that Iran had a stockpile of more than 2,000 short-range ballistic missiles.

From BBC

He said Iran’s “ballistic missile shots” were down 86% from the first day of fighting, and down 23% “just in the last 24 hours.”

From Los Angeles Times

In his statement on Tuesday night, Adm Cooper said that hundreds of air defence sites, ballistic missiles and drones had been destroyed by US strikes.

From BBC

The UAE and Qatar both said they had intercepted drone and missile salvos on Wednesday, with Abu Dhabi saying it had been targeted by three ballistic missiles and 129 drones, intercepting all but eight drones.

From Barron's

Related Words

• intercontinental ballistic missile
• surface-to-air missile