missile

1 of 2

adjective

mis·​sile ˈmi-səl How to pronounce missile (audio)
chiefly British
-ˌsīl How to pronounce missile (audio)
1
: capable of being thrown or projected to strike a distant object
2
: adapted for throwing or hurling missiles

missile

2 of 2

noun

: an object (such as a weapon) thrown or projected usually so as to strike something at a distance
stones, artillery shells, bullets, and rockets are missiles
: such as

Examples of missile in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web
Adjective
Until recently, the U.S. had limited any training of Ukrainians on U.S. weapons systems to Europe and was reluctant to send Patriots to Ukraine – over concerns the advanced anti-missile system and training of Ukrainians on U.S. soil would be seen as escalatory by Russian President Vladimir Putin. Howard Lafranchi, The Christian Science Monitor, 13 Jan. 2023 Senior Israeli lawmakers have already called on Netanyahu to provide Ukraine with anti-drone and anti-missile systems. Tovah Lazaroff, NBC News, 28 Feb. 2023 Germany has already delivered the first of four Iris-T systems, and Ukraine has also received an Aspide anti-missile system from Spain. Anthony Capaccio, Bloomberg.com, 13 Dec. 2022 When China was unhappy with South Korea over its decision to deploy a U.S. anti-missile defense system several years ago, Beijing punished Seoul by curtailing culture exchanges between the two sides. Russell Flannery, Forbes, 12 Aug. 2022 The Italian government has worked closely with France to transfer the SAMP-T air defense system to Ukraine, and the new aid package will also include the Skyguard anti-missile system and Aspide air defense missiles. Katya Soldak, Forbes, 22 Feb. 2023 The 16,000-ton Zumwalt and her only two sister ships, Michael Monsoor and Lyndon B. Johnson, are presently the only surface warships slated to integrate the CPS missiles, carrying up to 12 of the 8-ton missiles in four multi-missile launch tubes. Sebastien Roblin, Popular Mechanics, 14 Feb. 2023 But an ally that won’t supply its friends with more Patriot anti-missile interceptors simply isn’t credible with these determined adversaries. The Editorial Board, WSJ, 8 Dec. 2021 The spat will likely rekindle memories of China’s decision to dramatically scale back trade with South Korea in 2017 after then-President Moon Jae-in agreed to host a US anti-missile system. Time, 10 Jan. 2023
Noun
The Navy is decommissioning many LCS early because their operating costs are higher than anticipated, and there are doubts about the vessels’ ability to defend themselves against missile attacks. Gary Robbins, San Diego Union-Tribune, 11 Mar. 2024 Russian missile attacks have grown more experimental and complex since late 2022, and Ukraine’s interception rates have declined as a result. Dara Massicot, Foreign Affairs, 8 Mar. 2024 The bulk carrier went down off Yemen after a Houthi missile attack, and poses grave environmental risks as thousands of tons of fertilizer threaten to spill into the Red Sea, officials and experts warn. Alan Taylor, The Atlantic, 8 Mar. 2024 Since Hamas’ attack on Israel Oct. 7, raids on camps have increased tenfold, with the Israel Defense Forces (IDF) deploying snipers, anti-tank missiles, and drone-strike assassinations. Taylor Luck, The Christian Science Monitor, 7 Mar. 2024 Editors’ Picks After the invasion in February 2022, Ukraine managed to keep Russia from controlling the skies through air combat and the skillful use of antiaircraft missiles. Constant Méheut, New York Times, 5 Mar. 2024 Germany has provided an array of weapons and military equipment to Ukraine during its ongoing war with Russia, including tanks, missiles and artillery. Joe Hernandez, NPR, 3 Mar. 2024 Salon owners go to work despite the constant threat of missile strikes. Longreads, 1 Mar. 2024 Individual Tomahawk missiles, vital for American naval assets to attack Houthi drone bases in Yemen, cost up to $4 million per shot. Ariel Cohen, Forbes, 29 Feb. 2024

These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'missile.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.

Word History

Etymology

Adjective

Latin missilis, from mittere to throw, send

First Known Use

Adjective

1610, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Noun

circa 1656, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of missile was in 1610

Dictionary Entries Near missile

Cite this Entry

“Missile.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/missile. Accessed 19 Mar. 2024.

Kids Definition

missile

noun
mis·​sile
ˈmis-əl
: an object (as a stone, arrow, artillery shell, bullet, or rocket) that is thrown, shot, or launched usually so as to strike something at a distance
Etymology

Noun

from Latin missile "a weapon that is thrown or shot rather than held in the hand," derived from missus, past participle of mittere "to send, throw" — related to emit

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