ballistic missile

noun

, Rocketry.

1. any missile that, after being launched and possibly guided during takeoff, travels unpowered in a ballistic trajectory.

ballistic missile

noun

1. a missile that has no wings or fins and that follows a ballistic trajectory when its propulsive power is discontinued

Word History and Origins

Origin of ballistic missile¹

First recorded in 1950–55

Example Sentences

Putin said a "test" was successfully carried out on a non-nuclear hypersonic version of a ballistic missile and that the "target was reached".

From BBC

Russia launched an enormous ballistic missile strike on Dnipro overnight too.

From BBC

Ukraine claimed Russia had used an intercontinental ballistic missile, which would have represented a significant escalation in its assaults.

From New York Times

“Without those technologies, those weapons would not fly. The brain of those ballistic missiles, the brain of those kamikaze drones, are made of Western technology,” she says.

From BBC

Iran initially launched around 180 ballistic missiles at Israel in response to the killings of Hamas and Hezbollah leaders.

From BBC

Related Words

• intercontinental ballistic missile
• surface-to-air missile