Subscriber login


Forgot your password?

Library card login

Other

missile

Pronunciation: /ˈmɪsʌɪl/
Translate missile | into French | into German | into Italian | into Spanish
Definition of missile

noun

  • an object which is forcibly propelled at a target, either by hand or from a mechanical weapon: one of the players was hit on the head by a missile thrown by a spectator
  • a weapon that is self-propelled or directed by remote control, carrying conventional or nuclear explosive: the plane disintegrated after being hit by a missile launched from the ground the USAF approach uses small missiles fired from conventional fighter aircraft

Origin:

early 17th century (as an adjective in the sense 'suitable for throwing (at a target')): from Latin missile, neuter (used as a noun) of missilis, from miss- 'sent', from the verb mittere

Spelling help

Remember that missile ends with -ile.

missile in other Oxford dictionaries

Definition of missile in the US English dictionary