English Explanatory Dictionary

missile

English dictionary entry

Meanings

noun
  1. Any object used as a weapon by being thrown or fired through the air, such as stone, arrow or bullet.
  2. A self-propelled projectile whose trajectory can be adjusted after it is launched.

Pronunciation

mĭsʹīl /ˈmɪs.aɪl/ mĭsʹəl /ˈmɪs.(ə)l/ /-aɪl/ en-us-missile.ogg en-us-missile2.ogg

Word forms

missile missiles

Etymology

From Latin missile (“thrown weapon, projectile”), neuter of missilis (“throwable, capable of being thrown”), from mittere (“to send”). From 1611. Compare Middle French missile (“projectile”), from 1636.

Antonyms

nonmissile

Related words

mess message messenger mission missionary missive projectile rocket

Derived words

antimissile missileer missile farm missile gap missilelike missileman missileproof missilery missile silo steely-eyed missile man
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