warhead

noun

war·​head ˈwȯr-ˌhed How to pronounce warhead (audio)
: the section of a missile containing the explosive, chemical, or incendiary charge

Examples of warhead in a Sentence

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.
In addition to protecting the warhead, the reentry body incorporates essential non-nuclear control, arming, fuzing, and firing components. — Christopher McFadden, Interesting Engineering, 23 Aug. 2026 It is typically armed with a 110-pound high explosive/fragmentation/incendiary warhead and guided by jam-resistant satellite navigation. — David Hambling, Forbes.com, 21 Aug. 2026 North Korea has previously described the 600 mm system, known externally as the KN-25, as being able to deliver tactical nuclear warheads. — Joyce Lee, USA Today, 20 Aug. 2026 Since then, North Korea has expanded its nuclear weapons program, and analysts believe the totalitarian regime now has dozens of nuclear warheads. — Anna Coren, CBS News, 19 Aug. 2026 See All Example Sentences for warhead

Word History

First Known Use

1890, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of warhead was in 1890

Rhymes for warhead

See All Rhymes for warhead

Browse Nearby Words

war hawk
warhead
Warhol
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Cite this Entry

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

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Kids Definition

warhead

noun
war·​head ˈwȯ(ə)r-ˌhed How to pronounce warhead (audio)
: the section of a missile containing the charge

More from Merriam-Webster on warhead

Britannica.com: Encyclopedia article about warhead

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
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