missile
Americannoun
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an object or weapon for throwing, hurling, or shooting, as a stone, bullet, or arrow.
adjective
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capable of being thrown, hurled, or shot, as from the hand or a gun.
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used or designed for discharging missiles.
noun
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any object or weapon that is thrown at a target or shot from an engine, gun, etc
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a rocket-propelled weapon that flies either in a fixed trajectory (ballistic missile) or in a trajectory that can be controlled during flight (guided missile)
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( as modifier )
a missile carrier
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Etymology
Origin of missile
1600–10; < Latin, neuter of missilis, equivalent to miss ( us ) (past participle of mittere to send, throw) + -ilis -ile
Explanation
A missile is an object that can be projected toward a target. Examples include a spitball shot through a straw, a poison-tipped arrow sent via bow, or a self-propelled heat-seeking rocket, designed to take out targets at long range. When you learn about the Cuban Missile Crisis in history, the missiles in question were guided rockets loaded with nuclear warheads, supplied to the Cubans by the Soviet Union. A missile defense strategy is one where you send up defensive missile to blow up your enemy's offensive ones before they can reach you.
Vocabulary lists containing missile
Send a Message: Mit and Miss
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Central America and the Caribbean - Introductory
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Central America and the Caribbean - Middle School and High School
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Example Sentences
Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.
However, the army of Kuwait, which hosts a U.S. air base, confirmed that its air defenses were “confronting hostile missile and drone attacks” in a post on X late Wednesday night.
From MarketWatch • May 28, 2026
It did not say which, but Centcom later said a ballistic missile had been intercepted over Kuwait, where the US has several bases.
From BBC • May 28, 2026
North Korea said Wednesday it had tested a new lightweight multi-purpose missile launching system and a multiple tactical cruise missile weapon system the previous day.
From Barron's • May 26, 2026
Ukraine also remains heavily dependent on foreign air defence systems for missile interception.
From BBC • May 25, 2026
As it was, the soggy missile barely grazed his ear.
From "Artemis Fowl" by Eoin Colfer
Definitions and idiom definitions from Dictionary.com Unabridged, based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023
Idioms from The American Heritage® Idioms Dictionary copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company.
