ˈmɪsaɪl ˈmɪsaɪl pɹə(ʊ)ˈdʒɛktʌɪl pɹəˈdʒɛk.taɪl a rocket carrying a warhead of conventional or nuclear explosives; may be ballistic or directed by remote control a weapon that is forcibly thrown or projected at a targets but is not self-propelled