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; 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

Commenting on the combined use of aerial weapons, Timur Tkachenko, head of Kyiv's military administration, said: "The enemy is improving its own tactics of using drones, while simultaneously striking with ballistics."

From BBC • May 24, 2025

However, ballistics experts — including one who testified for the prosecutors during Baldwin’s grand jury proceeding, have cast doubt on Baldwin’s claims.

From Los Angeles Times • Mar. 14, 2024

Baltimore police are building stronger gun cases, in part because they are working with federal investigators and using ballistics technology to trace individual firearms.

From Seattle Times • Jan. 4, 2024

Agents were increasingly trained in what Hoover hailed as “scientific policing,” such as fingerprint and ballistics techniques.

From "Killers of the Flower Moon" by David Grann