warhead

American  

[wawr-hed] / ˈwɔrˌhɛd /

noun

1. the forward section of a self-propelled missile, bomb, torpedo, or the like, containing the explosive, chemical, or atomic charge.

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warhead British  

/ ˈwɔːˌhɛd /

noun

1. the part of the fore end of a missile or projectile that contains explosives

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Etymology

Origin of warhead

First recorded in 1895–1900; war ¹ + head

Example Sentences

See Examples For:

warhead

The longer a drone flies, the more fuel it must carry, limiting the weight of its warhead.

From The Wall Street Journal ● Sep. 1, 2026

A Chinese submarine fired the ballistic missile fitted with a dummy warhead earlier this month, reaching far into the Pacific Ocean.

From Barron's ● Jul. 22, 2026

"Although reportedly carrying a dummy warhead, no nation understands the weight of nuclear testing in Pacific waters better than ours," the statement added.

From Barron's ● Jul. 9, 2026

Monday, carrying a simulated warhead to a designated area in the Pacific Ocean, said Senior Captain Wang Xuemeng, a spokesman for China’s navy, according to state media.

From The Wall Street Journal ● Jul. 6, 2026

In World War II, Germany built on Oberth’s ideas and developed the V-2, a rocket powerful enough to carry an explosive warhead all the way from northern Germany to London.

From "Flying to the Moon: An Astronaut's Story" by Michael Collins