ballistic missile

American  

noun

Rocketry.

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

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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

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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

Iran should suspend ballistic missile development, stop production of long-range missiles and end drone transfers and military exports to proxies and allies around the Middle East.

From BBC • Apr. 8, 2026

The launch marked North Korea's fourth known ballistic missile test this year, including a salvo of around 10 fired from the Sunan area in March.

From Barron's • Apr. 8, 2026

The proposal also requires Iran to halt support for regional proxies and accept strict ballistic missile limits.

From Los Angeles Times • Apr. 6, 2026

The U.A.E. has at most two minutes to react to a ballistic missile fired from Iran, and 15 minutes for a drone, Osprey says.

From The Wall Street Journal • Mar. 22, 2026

Each mission presented myriad pathways to disaster, starting with the notoriously temperamental Atlas rocket, a ninety-five-foot-high, 3.5-million-horsepower intercontinental ballistic missile that had been modified to propel the Mercury capsule into orbit.

From "Hidden Figures" by Margot Lee Shetterly

Related Words

• intercontinental ballistic missile
• surface-to-air missile