intercontinental ballistic missile
noun
any supersonic missile that has a range of at least 3500 nautical miles (6500 km) and follows a ballistic trajectory after a powered, guided launching. Abbreviation: ICBM, I.C.B.M.
Origin of intercontinental ballistic missile
First recorded in 1955–60
Words nearby intercontinental ballistic missile
interconfessional,
interconnect,
interconnectedness,
interconsonantal,
intercontinental,
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interconversion,
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intercostal artery
British Dictionary definitions for intercontinental ballistic missile
intercontinental ballistic missile
/ (ˌɪntəˌkɒntɪˈnɛntəl) /
noun
a missile that follows a ballistic trajectory and has the range to carry a nuclear bomb over 5500 km
Abbreviation: ICBM
Cultural definitions for intercontinental ballistic missile
intercontinental ballistic missile
A missile with a long range (five thousand miles or more) that carries nuclear warheads and can be launched from the ground or from submarines. (See also MIRV.)