Ballistic Meaning
/bəˈlɪs.tɪk/Definition, CEFR level C2, pronunciation, examples, and quiz.
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Definition
adjOf or relating to ballistics.
adjOf or relating to projectiles moving under their own momentum, aerodynamic drag, gravity, and sometimes rocket power, without significant lift.
Sentence Examples
She went ballistic when I said that.
Tom went completely ballistic.
Mike went ballistic when he heard the news.
CEFR Practice Quiz
The missile followed a high ____ trajectory before hitting its target.
CEFR Practice Quiz (Alternate)
The scientists studied the ____ path of the rocket into the sky.
Word Origin & History
Etymology tree Proto-Indo-European *gʷelH-der. Proto-Hellenic *gʷəlnō Ancient Greek βᾰ́λλω (bắllō) Ancient Greek βαλλίστρᾱ (ballístrā)der. Latin ballista Proto-Indo-European *-ikos Proto-Italic *-ikos Latin -icuslbor. Old French -iquebor. Middle English -ik English -ic English ballistic From Latin ballista (“a military siege engine for throwing stones”) + -ic.
Literary Quotations & Historical Citations
"Russia used its powerful hypersonic Oreshnik ballistic missile for a third time in Ukraine as part of a massive attack on Kyiv and its surrounding region that killed at least four people and injured about 100."
— 2026 May 24, Jennifer Rankin, “Russia hits Kyiv with hypersonic ballistic missile in ‘deranged’ attack”, in The Guardian, →ISSN, archived from the original on 24 May 2026:
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CEFR Practice Quiz
The missile followed a high ____ trajectory before hitting its target.
CEFR Practice Quiz (Alternate)
The scientists studied the ____ path of the rocket into the sky.