projectile

American  

[pruh-jek-til, -tahyl] / prəˈdʒɛk tɪl, -taɪl /

noun

1. an object fired from a gun with an explosive propelling charge, such as a bullet, shell, rocket, or grenade.

2. a body projected or impelled forward, as through the air.

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adjective

1. impelling or driving forward, as a force.

2. caused by impulse, as motion.

3. capable of being impelled forward, as a missile.

4. Zoology. protrusile, as the jaws of a fish.

projectile British  

/ prəˈdʒɛktaɪl /

noun

1. an object or body thrown forwards

2. any self-propelling missile, esp one powered by a rocket or the rocket itself

3. any object that can be fired from a gun, such as a bullet or shell

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adjective

1. capable of being or designed to be hurled forwards

2. projecting or thrusting forwards

3. zoology another word for protrusile

Etymology

Origin of projectile

1655–65; < New Latin, neuter of prōjectilis (adj.) projecting. See project, -ile

Example Sentences

The mall's underground parking lot, which serves as a shelter when incoming projectiles are detected, was empty of cars, many of its spots instead filled with tents.

From Barron's

Maritime Trade Operations Centre, which is affiliated with Britain’s Royal Navy, on Sunday reported that several ships in the area were damaged after being hit by unidentified projectiles.

From The Wall Street Journal

Amazon didn’t elaborate on what caused the incident, but the fire broke out as Iranian projectiles continued to strike the U.A.E.

From The Wall Street Journal

A ship has been struck by an "unknown projectile" off the Iranian coast, the UK Maritime Trade Organisation has said, amid fears strikes in the Middle East could drive up global oil prices.

From BBC

Dubai resident Becky Williams said she saw about 15 missiles "launched from behind my house yesterday", referring to missiles fired by UAE authorities to intercept incoming Iranian projectiles.

From BBC

Related Words

• arrow
• bullet
• dart
• missile
• rocket
• torpedo