Missiles

/ˈmɪsəlz/ noun

Definition

Weapons that are fired or launched through the air and travel toward a target; any object that is thrown or shot as a weapon.

Etymology

From Latin 'mittere,' meaning 'to send or throw.' A missile is literally anything 'sent' or thrown, though modern usage focuses on military projectiles.

Kelly Says

The missile age changed warfare forever because they introduced 'standoff' combat—soldiers no longer needed to be near their target, which fundamentally shifted military strategy and geopolitics after World War II.

Related Words

Explore More Words

Get the Word Orb API

Complete word intelligence in one call. Free tier — 50 lookups/day.