Definitions for missile
ˈmɪs əl; esp. Brit. -aɪlmis·sile

Princeton's WordNet(2.00 / 3 votes)Rate this definition:

1. missilenoun

   a rocket carrying a warhead of conventional or nuclear explosives; may be ballistic or directed by remote control

2. projectile, missilenoun

   a weapon that is forcibly thrown or projected at a targets but is not self-propelled

GCIDE(0.00 / 0 votes)Rate this definition:

1. Missilenoun

   A rocket-propelled device designed to fly through the air and deliver a warhead of explosive materials to a target.

Wiktionary(0.00 / 0 votes)Rate this definition:

1. missilenoun

   An object intended to be launched into the air at a target.

2. missilenoun

   A self-propelled projectile whose trajectory can be adjusted after having been launched.

3. Etymology: From missilis, neuter missile, in plural missilia, from mittere.

Samuel Johnson's Dictionary(0.00 / 0 votes)Rate this definition:

1. Missileadjective

   Thrown by the hand; striking at distance.

   Etymology: missilis, Lat..

   We bend the bow, or wing the missile dart. Alexander Pope.

Webster Dictionary(3.00 / 2 votes)Rate this definition:

1. Missileadjective

   capable of being thrown; adapted for hurling or to be projected from the hand, or from any instrument or rngine, so as to strike an object at a distance

2. Missilenoun

   a weapon thrown or projected or intended to be projcted, as a lance, an arrow, or a bullet

3. Etymology: [L. missils, fr. mittere, missum, to cause to go, to send, to throw; cf. Lith. mesti to throw: cf. F. missile. Cf. Admit, Dismiss, Mass the religious service, Message, Mission.]

Freebase(0.00 / 0 votes)Rate this definition:

1. Missile

   In a modern military, a missile is a self-propelled guided weapon system, as opposed to a unguided self-propelled munition, referred to as just a rocket . Missiles have four system components: targeting and/or guidance, flight system, engine, and warhead. Missiles come in types adapted for different purposes: surface-to-surface and air-to-surface missiles, surface-to-air missiles, air-to-air missiles, and anti-satellite missiles. All known existing missiles are designed to be propelled during powered flight by chemical reactions inside a rocket engine, jet engine, or other type of engine. Non-self-propelled airborne explosive devices are generally referred to as shells and usually have a shorter range than missiles. An ordinary English-language usage predating guided weapons is simply any thrown object, such as items thrown at players by rowdy spectators at a sporting event.

Chambers 20th Century Dictionary(0.00 / 0 votes)Rate this definition:

1. Missile

   mis′il, adj. that may be thrown from the hand or from any instrument.—n. a weapon thrown by the hand. [L. missilis—mittĕre, missum, to throw.]

Military Dictionary and Gazetteer(0.00 / 0 votes)Rate this definition:

1. missile

   Capable of being thrown; adapted for hurling, or to be projected from the hand, or from any instrument or engine; as, to wing the missile dart.

2. missile

   A weapon thrown or intended to be thrown, for doing execution; as, a lance, an arrow, or a bullet.

Matched Categories

1. • Rocket
   • Weapon

British National Corpus

1. Nouns Frequency

   Rank popularity for the word 'missile' in Nouns Frequency: #1921

Anagrams for missile »

1. smilies

2. similes

How to pronounce missile?

1. Alex

   US English

   David

   US English

   Mark

   US English

   Daniel

   British

   Libby

   British

   Mia

   British

   Karen

   Australian

   Hayley

   Australian

   Natasha

   Australian

   Veena

   Indian

   Priya

   Indian

   Neerja

   Indian

   Zira

   US English

   Oliver

   British

   Wendy

   British

   Fred

   US English

   Tessa

   South African

How to say missile in sign language?

Numerology

1. Chaldean Numerology

   The numerical value of missile in Chaldean Numerology is: 2

2. Pythagorean Numerology

   The numerical value of missile in Pythagorean Numerology is: 5

Examples of missile in a Sentence

1. David Schmerler:

   There is no evidence that they can manufacture them, and they don't want to burn through their trucks (during missile tests).

2. The Russian foreign ministry:

   In our view, the United States and other NATO members should have long abandoned the pernicious one-sided steps in the missile defence field. They wouldn't have to worry about the consequences then.

3. The Pentagon report:

   China could use missile attacks and precision air strikes against air defense systems, including air bases, radar sites, missiles, space assets, and communications facilities to degrade Taiwan's defenses, neutralize Taiwan's leadership, or break the Taiwan people's resolve.

4. Donald Trump:

   The council must be prepared to impose additional and stronger sanctions on North Korean nuclear and ballistic missile programs.

5. Patrick Mullin:

   We vehemently dispute the notion that the coating powder sold by my client can be used for either missile production or nuclear application, it is rather used primarily for industrial purposes.

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