projectile

1 of 2

noun

pro·​jec·​tile prə-ˈjek-tᵊl How to pronounce projectile (audio) -ˌtī(-ə)l How to pronounce projectile (audio)
chiefly British ˈprä-jik-ˌtī(-ə)l
Synonyms of projectilenext
1
: a body projected by external force and continuing in motion by its own inertia
especially : a missile for a weapon (such as a firearm)
2
: a self-propelling weapon (such as a rocket)

projectile

2 of 2

adjective

1
: projecting or impelling forward
a projectile force
2
: capable of being thrust forward

Examples of projectile in a Sentence

Noun The cannon fires a ten-pound projectile. Someone threw a projectile at her car.
Recent Examples on the Web
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
Noun
Iranian drones, ballistic missiles and other projectiles have been raining down on US bases and allies across the Middle East. — Ivana Kottasová, CNN Money, 28 Aug. 2026 An oil tanker was struck by an unknown projectile and disabled near Oman on Monday, according to an incident report from the United Kingdom Maritime Trade Operations Centre. — Spencer Kimball, CNBC, 25 Aug. 2026
Adjective
Many local police have more stringent requirements, including Washington, DC, where officers are instructed not to use projectile launchers, including pepper balls, within six feet of targets. — Bob Ortega, CNN Money, 10 Mar. 2026 Survivor 49 kicked off Wednesday night with two-hour premiere filled with projectile vomit, blatant puzzle copying, and a new bromance for the ages. — Dalton Ross, Entertainment Weekly, 25 Sep. 2025 See All Example Sentences for projectile

Word History

First Known Use

Noun

1564, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Adjective

1715, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Time Traveler
The first known use of projectile was in 1564

Phrases Containing projectile

Rhymes for projectile

See All Rhymes for projectile

Browse Nearby Words

projectable
projectile
projectile lathe
See all Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Projectile.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/projectile. Accessed 1 Sep. 2026.

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Kids Definition

projectile

noun
pro·​jec·​tile
prə-ˈjek-tᵊl
: something (as a bullet or rocket) thrown or driven forward especially from or for use as a weapon

More from Merriam-Webster on projectile

Thesaurus: All synonyms and antonyms for projectile

Britannica.com: Encyclopedia article about projectile

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
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