missile

[ mis-uhlor, especially British, -ahyl ]

noun

1. an object or weapon for throwing, hurling, or shooting, as a stone, bullet, or arrow.
2. guided missile.
3. ballistic missile.

adjective

1. capable of being thrown, hurled, or shot, as from the hand or a gun.
2. used or designed for discharging missiles.

missile

/ ˈmɪsaɪl /

noun

1. any object or weapon that is thrown at a target or shot from an engine, gun, etc
2. 1. 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)
   2. ( as modifier )

      a missile carrier

Word History and Origins

Origin of missile¹

1600–10; < Latin, neuter of missilis, equivalent to miss ( us ) (past participle of mittere to send, throw) + -ilis -ile

Word History and Origins

Origin of missile¹

C17: from Latin: missilis , from mittere to send

Example Sentences

On Tuesday, Ukraine fired US-supplied longer-range missiles at Russian territory for the first time, a day after the US gave permission for their use.

From BBC

It said five missiles had been shot down and one had caused damage - with its fragments starting a fire at a military facility.

From BBC

On Tuesday, Ukraine fired US-supplied long-range missiles into Russia for the first time - a day after Washington gave it permission to do so.

From BBC

Ukraine has fired US-supplied longer-range missiles at Russian territory for the first time, the Russian government said, a day after the US gave its permission for such attacks.

From BBC

A fire caused by fallen debris from one of the missiles was quickly extinguished and there were no casualties, it said.

From BBC

Related Words

• ammunition
• bomb
• bullet
• projectile
• rocket