ballistic missile

noun

: a weapon that is shot through the sky over a great distance and then falls to the ground and explodes

Full Definition of BALLISTIC MISSILE

: a missile guided in the ascent of a high-arch trajectory and freely falling in the descent

See ballistic missile defined for English-language learners

See ballistic missile defined for kids

1954

Next Word in the Dictionary: ballistic pendulumPrevious Word in the Dictionary: ballisticianAll Words Near: ballistic missile

What made you want to look up ballistic missile? Please tell us where you read or heard it (including the quote, if possible).

Put-downs with flair

How to use a word that (literally) drives some people nuts.

Test your vocab with our fun, fast game

Ailurophobia, and 9 other unusual fears