projectile
Americannoun
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an object fired from a gun with an explosive propelling charge, such as a bullet, shell, rocket, or grenade.
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a body projected or impelled forward, as through the air.
adjective
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impelling or driving forward, as a force.
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caused by impulse, as motion.
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capable of being impelled forward, as a missile.
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Zoology. protrusile, as the jaws of a fish.
noun
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an object or body thrown forwards
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any self-propelling missile, esp one powered by a rocket or the rocket itself
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any object that can be fired from a gun, such as a bullet or shell
adjective
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capable of being or designed to be hurled forwards
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projecting or thrusting forwards
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zoology another word for protrusile
Etymology
Origin of projectile
1655–65; < New Latin, neuter of prōjectilis (adj.) projecting. See project, -ile
Example Sentences
Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.
The projectile caused minor structural damage and no crew members were injured.
From Barron's • Mar. 17, 2026
The statement added: "UAE authorities warn against photographing, posting, or sharing images of incident sites or projectile damage as well as government buildings and diplomatic missions."
From BBC • Mar. 13, 2026
On Thursday, a ship operated by Maersk was hit by fragments of a projectile, causing a fire.
From The Wall Street Journal • Mar. 13, 2026
On Wednesday, three commercial ships near the strait were hit by a projectile, and Iran has been placing mines there, according to media reports.
From Barron's • Mar. 11, 2026
Ernest Rutherford was as quick as Lawrence and Lewis to divine the virtues of the deuton as a nuclear projectile.
From "Big Science" by Michael Hiltzik
Definitions and idiom definitions from Dictionary.com Unabridged, based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023
Idioms from The American Heritage® Idioms Dictionary copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company.