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Definition of missile

missile

/ˈmɪs.əl/
mis · sile
Plural:missiles
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missile Lexical Profile

missile Game Scores & Validity

• noun

1

A highly advanced, self-propelled, and guided weapon system designed to deliver an explosive warhead to a specific target.

Example

"The aerospace engineers successfully tested a new long-range missile capable of reaching intercontinental distances with pinpoint accuracy."

2

An object or weapon that is fired, thrown, dropped, or otherwise projected at a target.

Example

"The protesters threw stones, bottles, and any other makeshift missile they could find at the approaching vehicles."

Synonyms
View all synonyms for missile

• Rhymes for missile

• Nearby Words

misrecollect
missal
missalette
missile
mission
mississauga
mississippi river

Word Origin & Etymology

From Latin 'missilis' (that may be thrown), derived from 'missus', the past participle of 'mittere' (to send, let go, release, throw).

Usage Trend

Historical frequency of usage in published text.

180019102020
Data source: Google Books Ngram Viewer

Cite this Entry

Wordmom. (2026). Definition of Missile. In Wordmom Dictionary. Retrieved Oct 15, 2026, from https://wordmom.com/dictionary/missile
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