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

Centrcom said that U.S. forces had successfully defeated multiple Iranian ballistic missile and drone attacks and that no American personnel had been harmed.

From The Wall Street Journal • Jun. 3, 2026

It did not say which, but Centcom later said a ballistic missile had been intercepted over Kuwait, where the US has several bases.

From BBC • May 28, 2026

North Korea is subject to multiple United Nations sanctions banning its nuclear weapons development and use of ballistic missile technology, restrictions it has repeatedly flouted.

From Barron's • May 26, 2026

An Iranian ballistic missile struck the main Ras Laffan gas complex, knocking out an estimated 17% of global LNG supply.

From BBC • May 6, 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