surface-to-air

American  

[sur-fis-too-air] / ˈsɜr fɪs tuˈɛər /

adjective

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

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adverb

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

   an antimissile missile fired surface-to-air.

surface-to-air British  

adjective

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

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Etymology

Origin of surface-to-air

First recorded in 1945–50

Example Sentences

Stocks of torpedoes are to go up by 230 percent and those of surface-to-air missiles by 30 percent.

From Barron's • Apr. 8, 2026

Iran is believed to have reinforced its defences on the island, including with surface-to-air missile batteries.

From BBC • Mar. 30, 2026

That same surface-to-air system has proved to be a threat to the MQ-9s in their operations over Iran, military officials said.

From The Wall Street Journal • Mar. 16, 2026

For 15 hair-raising minutes, the pilots struggled to evade a half-dozen surface-to-air missiles, spraying countermeasures and executing a series of high-G maneuvers.

From The Wall Street Journal • Feb. 26, 2026

If a surface-to-air missile capability did exist at that time, the Chinese would have supplied the necessary replacements.

From Area Handbook for Albania by Elpern, Sarah Jane