ballistic

American  

[buh-lis-tik] / bəˈlɪs tɪk /

adjective

1. of or relating to ballistics.

2. having its motion determined or describable by the laws of exterior ballistics.

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idioms

1. go ballistic, to become overwrought or irrational.

   went ballistic over the idea of a tax hike.

ballistic British  

/ bəˈlɪstɪk /

adjective

1. of or relating to ballistics

2. denoting or relating to the flight of projectiles after power has been cut off, moving under their own momentum and the external forces of gravity and air resistance

3. (of a measurement or measuring instrument) depending on a brief impulse or current that causes a movement related to the quantity to be measured

   a ballistic pendulum

4. informal to become enraged or frenziedly violent

5. (of materials) strong enough to resist damage by projectile weapons

   ballistic nylon

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ballistic More Idioms  

1. see go ballistic.

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Other Word Forms

• ballistically
  adverb

Etymology

Origin of ballistic

First recorded in 1765–75; ballist(a) + -ic

Explanation

The adjective ballistic describes the flight of an object through space. It usually applies to projectiles like bullets or rockets that are fired from weapons. If you’re in the path of a ballistic missile, get out of the way! A ballistic missile is guided only when it’s first launched. After that its flight is subject to the law of gravity. The word comes from a Roman weapon called a ballista, which chucked rocks into the air, whose name comes from the Greek for "throw." If someone has “gone ballistic,” they're crazy with anger. When you go ballistic, you’re just like an unmanned missile: you fly into a fit of rage and lose control over your feelings or actions.

Example Sentences

He admits, though, that shooting down Russia's ballistic missiles "is not so easy".

From BBC • May 21, 2026

But Ukraine remains vulnerable to Russian ballistic missiles.

From The Wall Street Journal • May 19, 2026

But he conceded: "The most difficult challenge is defending against ballistic missiles."

From Barron's • May 15, 2026

Hong Kong trading companies procure tech parts that have been found in Shahed drones and ballistic missiles.

From The Wall Street Journal • May 14, 2026

I looked down and almost shot out of the water like a ballistic missile.

From "The Lightning Thief" by Rick Riordan