Missile

Pronunciation

• UK: IPA: /ˈmɪsaɪl/
• Rhymes: -ɪsaɪl
• US: enPR: mÄ­sʹīl, IPA: /ˈmɪsaɪl/ or enPR: mÄ­sʹəl, IPA: /ˈmɪsÉ™l/
• Rhymes: -ɪsaɪl, -ɪsÉ™l

Origin

From Latin missilis ("that may be thrown"), neuter missile ("a weapon to be thrown, a javelin"), in plural missilia ("presents thrown among the people by the emperors"), from mittere ("to send").

Full definition of missile

Noun

1. An object intended to be launched into the air at a target.That missile is explosive enough to kill hundreds.
2. (military) A self-propelled projectile whose trajectory can be adjusted after having been launched.

Related terms

• mess
• message
• messenger
• mission
• missionary
• missive

Anagrams

• similes
• smilies