# missile

Pronunciation: US say "MIS-uhl" /ˈmɪs.(ə)l/; UK say "MIS-yl" /ˈmɪs.aɪl/

## Noun

1. A self-propelled flying weapon whose path can be steered or adjusted after it is launched.
   - Simple: A flying weapon that can change its path after launch to hit a target.
   - _Defense analysts tracked the missile as it adjusted course toward the moving ship._
   - _The new missiles can be reprogrammed mid-flight to switch targets._
2. An object, such as a stone, arrow, or bullet, that is hurled or shot through the air to do harm.
   - Simple: Any object thrown or fired through the air to hurt or attack someone.
   - _Protesters launched bricks and other missiles over the barricade._
   - _In the brawl, a thrown bottle became the first missile of the night._

## Origin

From Latin missile ("thrown weapon, projectile"), the neuter of missilis ("throwable"), which comes from mittere ("to send"). It dates from 1611, and can be compared with Middle French missile ("projectile"), from 1636.

Source: DictionaryAI, https://dictionaryai.com/define/missile (written from Wiktionary data, CC BY-SA 4.0: https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/4.0/).