surface-to-air

[ sur-fis-too-air ]

adjective

1. (of a missile, message, etc.) capable of traveling from the surface of the earth to a target in the atmosphere.

adverb

1. from the surface of the earth to a target in the atmosphere:

   an antimissile missile fired surface-to-air.

surface-to-air

adjective

1. of or relating to a missile launched from the surface of the earth against airborne targets

Word History and Origins

Origin of surface-to-air¹

First recorded in 1945–50

Example Sentences

Arrow 2 was reportedly used in combat for the first time in 2017, to shoot down a Syrian surface-to-air missile.

From BBC

Israel in February launched its deepest strikes into Lebanon in years, hitting the Bekaa Valley in response to a surface-to-air missile attack that downed an Israeli drone over southern Lebanon.

From New York Times

Just two days after the decision, images showed Russia’s prized S-300/400 surface-to-air launcher exploding in flames in Russia, about 35 miles from Ukraine’s northern border.

From Los Angeles Times

The Israeli military said a surface-to-air missile was fired toward a drone operating in Lebanese airspace, adding that it was hit and fell in Lebanese territory.

From Seattle Times

It described its targets as “buildings identified as housing drone ground control facilities and providing storage for very long-range drones, as well as surface-to-air weapons.”

From Seattle Times