Warhead Meaning
/wˈɔˌrhɛd/Definition, CEFR level C1, pronunciation, examples, and quiz.
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Definition
nounThe part of a missile, projectile, torpedo, rocket, or other munition which contains either the nuclear or thermonuclear system, high explosive system, chemical or biological agents, or inert materials intended to inflict damage.
nounThe glans penis.
Sentence Examples
The missile was equipped with a high-explosive and dangerous warhead.
A warhead is the part of a weapon that contains the explosive charge.
The missile was equipped with a high-explosive warhead.
CEFR Practice Quiz
The missile's ____ contained a powerful explosive charge.
CEFR Practice Quiz (Alternate)
The missile was equipped with a non-explosive ____ for the purpose of the test flight in the desert today.
Word Origin & History
From war + head, originally to distinguish a live war head of a torpedo from an inert exercise head. Piecewise doublet of war chief.
Literary Quotations & Historical Citations
""To their anchorage off Kodiak," Chuck says. "The Orthos were all ready. They had put together a crew of ex-Navy men, guys who had worked on nuke subs in the past—X-rays, they call them—and they came and took the sub over. As for us, we had no idea that any of this had happened. Until one of the warheads showed up in the goddamn front yard.""
— 1992, Neal Stephenson, Snow Crash, page 281:
""Multi Bottle Rocket". Possibly the strongest weapon around, it does a lot of damage due to its massive warhead."
— 1995, HAL Laboratory, EarthBound, Nintendo, Super Nintendo Entertainment System:
Explore More C1 Vocabulary Words
CEFR Practice Quiz
The missile's ____ contained a powerful explosive charge.
CEFR Practice Quiz (Alternate)
The missile was equipped with a non-explosive ____ for the purpose of the test flight in the desert today.