Iron Dome

American  

[ahy-ern dohm] / ˈaɪ ərn ˈdoʊm /

noun

1. an Israeli air defense system that uses radar to detect incoming rockets, calculates whether they will hit Israeli towns, and launches missiles to shoot them down.

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Etymology

Origin of Iron Dome

First recorded in 2010–15

Example Sentences

Iron Dome, which was originally developed to intercept rockets at a range of about 45 miles, also has been upgraded and is now used to shoot down missiles and longer-range rockets and drones.

From The Wall Street Journal • Mar. 28, 2026

Israel's famed Iron Dome system is the third tier and was originally designed to intercept short-range rockets and artillery shells.

From Barron's • Mar. 28, 2026

The funding would support the development of a defense system that Lai has called the “T-Dome”—an echo of Israel’s Iron Dome.

From The Wall Street Journal • Dec. 18, 2025

It is partly inspired by Israel's Iron Dome, which the country has used to intercept rockets and missiles since 2011.

From BBC • May 21, 2025

Israel’s Iron Dome program is designed to intercept missiles with a range of 40 miles traveling at twice the speed of sound.

From Slate • Mar. 5, 2025