ballistic missile

3 definitions found

ballistic missile - Collaborative International Dictionary of English v.0.48 :

  Missile \Mis"sile\, n. [L. missile.]
     1. A weapon thrown or projected or intended to be projected,
        as a lance, an arrow, or a bullet.
        [1913 Webster]
  
     2. A rocket-propelled device designed to fly through the air
        and deliver a warhead of explosive materials to a target.
        [PJC]
  
     Note: Numerous types of rocket-propelled missile[2] are now
           used in modern warfare. Some types with names
           indicating their range or function are: antiaircraft missile
           ; ballistic missile; cruise missile;
           antiballistic missile missile; air-to-air missile;
           air-to-ground missile; guided missile;
           intercontinental ballistic missile (IBM);
           intermediate range ballistic missile (IRBM);
           surface-to-air missile.

  ballistic missile \bal*lis"tic mis`sile\, n.
     A rocket-propelled missile of long range which is guided only
     during the powered portion of its flight, which usually takes
     only a small part of the total flight time; -- contrasted
     with guided missile.
  
     Note: Ballistic missiles are sometimes referred to by their
           range, such as an
  
     intercontinental ballistic missile (ICBM) or an
  
     intermediate range ballistic missile (IRBM).
        [PJC]

ballistic missile - WordNet (r) 2.1 (2005) :

  ballistic missile
      n 1: a missile that is guided in the first part of its flight
           but falls freely as it approaches target