ballistic missile
noun
plural ballistic missiles
: a usually rocket-powered missile that is launched in a high arc under guidance for its ascent but that is unpowered and unguided once it begins its descent compare cruise missile, guided missile
Example Sentences
Recent Examples on the Web As a result, China has an abundance of long-range missiles, including the DF-26 intermediate-range ballistic missile. 
Kyle Mizokami, Popular Mechanics, 29 Aug. 2022 Lee Corkran/Sygma via Getty Images Early on Tuesday morning, an unarmed Minuteman III intercontinental ballistic missile launched from Vandenberg Space Force Base, California, to test the capabilities of the US nuclear armed forces. Eric Berger, Ars Technica, 16 Aug. 2022 The lighter and smaller Ford felt more toy-like, where the Ram behaved like a ballistic missile, per Connor Hoffman. Carlos Lago, Car and Driver, 30 June 2022 North Korea has conducted more than a dozen missile tests this year, including a full-range intercontinental ballistic missile launch in March, which showed Pyongyang possesses a weapon that can reach the U.S. mainland. Dasl Yoon, WSJ, 7 May 2022 The 110th birth anniversary of Kim’s late grandfather and state founder, Kim Il Sung, comes after North Korea conducted a spate of weapons tests in recent months, including its first full-range intercontinental ballistic missile launch since 2017. NBC News, 15 Apr. 2022 North Korea said Monday leader Kim Jong Un has vowed to develop more powerful means of attack, days after the country’s first intercontinental ballistic missile launch in more than four years. Hyung-jin Kim, BostonGlobe.com, 28 Mar. 2022 North Korea said Monday leader Kim Jong Un has vowed to develop more powerful means of attack, days after the country's first intercontinental ballistic missile launch in more than four years. Fox News, 28 Mar. 2022 Indeed, there hasn't been a long-range ballistic missile launch since 2017. Aaron David Miller, CNN, 23 Dec. 2021 See More
Kyle Mizokami, Popular Mechanics, 29 Aug. 2022 Lee Corkran/Sygma via Getty Images Early on Tuesday morning, an unarmed Minuteman III intercontinental ballistic missile launched from Vandenberg Space Force Base, California, to test the capabilities of the US nuclear armed forces. Eric Berger, Ars Technica, 16 Aug. 2022 The lighter and smaller Ford felt more toy-like, where the Ram behaved like a ballistic missile, per Connor Hoffman. Carlos Lago, Car and Driver, 30 June 2022 North Korea has conducted more than a dozen missile tests this year, including a full-range intercontinental ballistic missile launch in March, which showed Pyongyang possesses a weapon that can reach the U.S. mainland. Dasl Yoon, WSJ, 7 May 2022 The 110th birth anniversary of Kim’s late grandfather and state founder, Kim Il Sung, comes after North Korea conducted a spate of weapons tests in recent months, including its first full-range intercontinental ballistic missile launch since 2017. NBC News, 15 Apr. 2022 North Korea said Monday leader Kim Jong Un has vowed to develop more powerful means of attack, days after the country’s first intercontinental ballistic missile launch in more than four years. Hyung-jin Kim, BostonGlobe.com, 28 Mar. 2022 North Korea said Monday leader Kim Jong Un has vowed to develop more powerful means of attack, days after the country's first intercontinental ballistic missile launch in more than four years. Fox News, 28 Mar. 2022 Indeed, there hasn't been a long-range ballistic missile launch since 2017. Aaron David Miller, CNN, 23 Dec. 2021 See More Word History
First Known Use
1950, in the meaning defined above