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Definition of missile noun from the Oxford Advanced American Dictionary

     

    missile

     noun
    noun
    NAmE//ˈmɪsl//
     
     
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  1. 1a weapon that is sent through the air and that explodes when it hits the thing that it is aimed at nuclear missiles a missile base/site Topic CollocationsWar and Peacestarting a war
    • declare/wage war (on somebody/something)
    • go to war (against/with somebody)
    • cause/spark/provoke/foment/quell unrest
    • incite/lead/crush/suppress a revolt/rebellion
    • launch/mount/carry out a surprise/terrorist attack
    • prevent/halt/represent an escalation of the conflict
    • be torn apart by/be on the brink of civil war
    • enter/invade/occupy somebody's territory
    • lead/launch/resist/repel an invasion
    military operations
    • adopt/develop/implement/pursue a military strategy
    • carry out/execute/perform military operations/maneuvers
    • send/deploy/station/pull back/withdraw troops
    • go on/fly/carry out a reconnaissance/rescue mission
    • train/equip/deploy army/military/combat units
    • lead/launch/conduct an (air/airborne/amphibious) attack/a surprise attack (on somebody); an assault/a raid (on somebody)
    • employ/use guerrilla tactics
    • conduct/wage biological/guerrilla warfare
    • fight/crush/defeat the rebels/the insurgency
    • suffer/inflict a crushing defeat
    • achieve/win a decisive victory
    • halt/stop the American/German advance
    • order/force a retreat
    fighting
    • join/serve in the Army/Navy/Air Force/Marines/Coast Guard/reserves
    • be/go/remain/serve on active duty
    • do/complete/return from a tour of duty
    • be sent to the front (line)
    • attack/strike/engage/defeat/kill/destroy the enemy
    • witness/see/report/be engaged in heavy fighting
    • call for/be met with armed resistance
    • come under heavy/machine-gun/mortar fire
    • fire a machine gun/mortar shells/rockets (at somebody/something)
    • shoot a rifle/a pistol/bullets/missiles
    • launch/fire a(n) cruise/ballistic/anti-tank missile
    • use biological/chemical/nuclear weapons
    • inflict/suffer/sustain heavy losses/casualties
    • be hit/killed by enemy/friendly/artillery fire
    • become/be held as/be taken as a prisoner of war
    civilians in war
    • harm/kill/target/protect innocent/unarmed civilians
    • cause/avoid/limit/minimize civilian casualties/collateral damage
    • impose/enforce/lift a curfew
    • engage in/be a victim of ethnic cleansing
    • be sent to a concentration/an internment camp
    • accept/house/resettle/turn away refugees fleeing from war
    • fear/threaten military/violent reprisals
    • commit/be accused of war crimes/crimes against humanity/genocide
    making peace
    • make/bring/win/achieve/maintain/promote peace
    • call for/negotiate/broker/declare a ceasefire/a temporary truce
    • sign a ceasefire agreement
    • call for/bring/put an end to hostilities
    • demand/negotiate/accept the surrender of somebody/something
    • establish/send (in) a peacekeeping force
    • negotiate/conclude/ratify/sign/accept/reject/break/violate a peace treaty
    see ballistic missile, cruise missile, guided missile
  2. 2an object that is thrown at someone to hurt them Missiles including stones and bottles were thrown at the police. synonym projectile
See missile in the Oxford Advanced Learner's Dictionary