ballistics
noun
bal·lis·tics bə-ˈli-stiks 
plural in form but singular or plural in construction
1
a
: the science of the motion of projectiles in flight
b
: the flight characteristics of a projectile
2
a
: the study of the processes within a firearm as it is fired
b
: the firing characteristics of a firearm or cartridge
Example Sentences
Recent Examples on the Web But police and prosecutors say the handgun was used to shoot Jones, though the testimony of the firearms examiners who claimed the ballistics matched is facing criticism. 
Alex Mann, Baltimore Sun, 12 Aug. 2022 The Palestinians, who on Saturday handed over the bullet to a U.S. security coordinator, said they had been assured that Israel would not take part in the ballistics. Reuters, NBC News, 3 July 2022 Police said ballistics experts subsequently matched the gun to the one used to kill Daniel James Harris of Lanham on June 13 on Forest Park Drive in District Heights. Rachel Weiner, Washington Post, 15 July 2022 The finding came after what the U.S. said was inconclusive tests by independent ballistics experts under U.S. oversight of the bullet fragment recovered from Abu Akleh's body. Luis Martinez, ABC News, 4 July 2022 The State Department said third-party ballistics experts couldn’t determine who shot Abu Akleh because the bullet that struck her head in May had endured heavy damage. Joe Walsh, Forbes, 4 July 2022 However, his off-duty revolver was examined by ballistics experts, who determined that the bullet that killed Christine was fired by the same weapon. Stephanie Nolasco, Fox News, 15 May 2022 Israel has called for a joint investigation with the Palestinians, saying the bullet must be analyzed by ballistics experts to reach firm conclusions. Josef Federman, BostonGlobe.com, 15 May 2022 According to the report, Carmack-Altwies said the investigation is focusing on ballistics to determine what kind of rounds were used, and who placed them in the gun fired by actor Alec Baldwin. Melissa Mahtani, CNN, 27 Oct. 2021 See More
Alex Mann, Baltimore Sun, 12 Aug. 2022 The Palestinians, who on Saturday handed over the bullet to a U.S. security coordinator, said they had been assured that Israel would not take part in the ballistics. Reuters, NBC News, 3 July 2022 Police said ballistics experts subsequently matched the gun to the one used to kill Daniel James Harris of Lanham on June 13 on Forest Park Drive in District Heights. Rachel Weiner, Washington Post, 15 July 2022 The finding came after what the U.S. said was inconclusive tests by independent ballistics experts under U.S. oversight of the bullet fragment recovered from Abu Akleh's body. Luis Martinez, ABC News, 4 July 2022 The State Department said third-party ballistics experts couldn’t determine who shot Abu Akleh because the bullet that struck her head in May had endured heavy damage. Joe Walsh, Forbes, 4 July 2022 However, his off-duty revolver was examined by ballistics experts, who determined that the bullet that killed Christine was fired by the same weapon. Stephanie Nolasco, Fox News, 15 May 2022 Israel has called for a joint investigation with the Palestinians, saying the bullet must be analyzed by ballistics experts to reach firm conclusions. Josef Federman, BostonGlobe.com, 15 May 2022 According to the report, Carmack-Altwies said the investigation is focusing on ballistics to determine what kind of rounds were used, and who placed them in the gun fired by actor Alec Baldwin. Melissa Mahtani, CNN, 27 Oct. 2021 See More Word History
Etymology
New Latin ballisticus ballistic + -ics, after New Latin ballistica
First Known Use
1675, in the meaning defined at sense 1a
Legal Definition
ballistics
noun plural but singular or plural in construction
bal·lis·tics bə-ˈlis-tiks
1
a
: the science of the motion of projectiles (as bullets) in flight
b
: the flight characteristics of a projectile (as a bullet)
2
: the study of the processes within a firearm as it is fired