ballistics

American  

[buh-lis-tiks] / bəˈlɪs tɪks /

noun

(usually used with a singular verb)

1. the science or study of the motion of projectiles, as bullets, shells, or bombs.

2. the art or science of designing projectiles for maximum flight performance.

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ballistics British  

/ bəˈlɪstɪks /

noun

1. (functioning as singular) the study of the flight dynamics of projectiles, either through the interaction of the forces of propulsion, the aerodynamics of the projectile, atmospheric resistance, and gravity ( exterior ballistics ), or through these forces along with the means of propulsion, and the design of the propelling weapon and projectile ( interior ballistics )

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ballistics Scientific  

/ bə-lĭs′tĭks /

1. The scientific study of the characteristics of projectiles, such as bullets or missiles, and the way they move in flight.

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Other Word Forms

• ballistician
  noun

Etymology

Origin of ballistics

First recorded in 1745–55; see origin at ballistic, -ics

Example Sentences

We spoke to five ballistics experts, and used software that analyses the sound of shooting on videos, to help establish the trajectory of bullets.

From BBC • Sep. 23, 2025

Moira Orr, who leads on homicide and major crime for the Crown Office and Procurator Fiscal Service, said the case was built on eyewitness accounts, ballistics, DNA, CCTV, mobile phone communications and cell site data.

From BBC • Sep. 12, 2025

However, two ballistics experts have cast doubt on Baldwin’s claims, including an FBI forensic examiner who testified Monday in the criminal trial of Hannah Gutierrez, the “Rust” armorer who loaded the actor’s weapon that day.

From Los Angeles Times • Feb. 26, 2024

FBI weapons experts shattered Baldwin’s gun’s hammer during 2022 ballistics testing.

From Los Angeles Times • Feb. 21, 2024

It was very different, of course, with the sciences of cartography and navigation, ballistics and fortification.

From "The Invention of Science" by David Wootton