ballistic missile

noun

Rocketry.

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

ballistic missile

noun

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

Word History and Origins

Origin of ballistic missile¹

First recorded in 1950–55

Example Sentences

At least five people were killed late last week when Russia sent over 50 ballistic missiles and around 500 drones into nine regions across Ukraine.

From BBC

What is mentioned less is the UK's ability to intercept ballistic missiles.

From BBC

To protect its skies from ballistic missiles, Kyiv has asked its Western partners for at least 10 units of Patriot surface-to-air defence systems which can detect and intercept oncoming missiles.

From BBC

But China is not one of them, prohibited by Congress during the Obama era from cooperating with the United States in space after attempting to steal U.S. technology on intercontinental ballistic missiles and thermonuclear weapons.

From Los Angeles Times

In January, North Korea claimed to fire a new intermediate-range ballistic missile tipped with a hypersonic warhead, which it said "will reliably contain any rivals in the Pacific region".

From BBC

Related Words

• intercontinental ballistic missile 
• surface-to-air missile www.thesaurus.com