intercontinental ballistic missile

noun

1. any supersonic missile that has a range of at least 3500 nautical miles (6,500 km) and follows a ballistic trajectory after a powered, guided launching. ICBM, I.C.B.M.

intercontinental ballistic missile

/ ˌɪntəˌkɒntɪˈnɛntəl /

noun

1. ICBM. a missile that follows a ballistic trajectory and has the range to carry a nuclear bomb over 5500 km

intercontinental ballistic missile

1. A missile with a long range (five thousand miles or more) that carries nuclear warheads and can be launched from the ground or from submarines. (See also MIRV.)

Word History and Origins

Origin of intercontinental ballistic missile¹

First recorded in 1955–60

Example Sentences

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.

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By contrast, North Korea has defied all international sanctions to build up a formidable arsenal of nuclear warheads and intercontinental ballistic missiles, enough to make any potential attacker think twice.

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The Minuteman III intercontinental ballistic missile is set to launch from the Santa Barbara County base sometime between 11:01 p.m.

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In a tiny, cramped control room at the bottom, accessible by an even more cramped lift, coded orders to launch intercontinental ballistic missiles would have been received, deciphered and acted upon.

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Ukraine claimed Russia had used an intercontinental ballistic missile, which would have represented a significant escalation in its assaults.

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Related Words

• guided missile