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

He said the missile could carry a warhead more than four times more powerful than anything Western militaries possessed, adding that Sarmat would be on "combat duty" by the end of this year.

From Barron's • May 12, 2026

The U.S. had determined the presence of medium-range ballistic missiles capable of carrying a nuclear warhead more than 1,000 nautical miles.

From The Wall Street Journal • Apr. 23, 2026

The key uncertainty about the attacks on Iran’s nuclear program since Feb. 28 is the extent of damage done to Iran’s ability to build a nuclear warhead.

From The Wall Street Journal • Apr. 12, 2026

The manufacturer, Lockheed Martin, describes the PrSM as an "optimized warhead" which contains pre-formed fragments that explode outwards.

From BBC • Apr. 3, 2026

Not the least of them was a prototype of Polaris, the submarine-based warhead for the navy, Livermore’s important new government patron.

From "Big Science" by Michael Hiltzik