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.
The flurry of missile launches began soon after the Workers' Party congress in February, a once-in-five-years event that directs state efforts.
From Barron's • Apr. 27, 2026
The UK government announced on 1 March that it had agreed to allow British military bases to be used for "defensive" strikes on Iranian missile sites.
From BBC • Apr. 26, 2026
Lockheed Martin, RTX and Northrop Grumman reported surging missile sales this week, though investors are wary of coming investment needs.
From The Wall Street Journal • Apr. 26, 2026
The weapon is the Army’s High Mobility Artillery Rocket System, each of which can fire six rockets or one missile at ranges of up to 185 miles.
From Slate • Apr. 24, 2026
“No, sir,” answered Sydney Graybeal, a CIA missile expert.
From "Fallout: Spies, Superbombs, and the Ultimate Cold War Showdown" by Steve Sheinkin
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.
