noun / adjective

projectile

pruh-JEK-tul/prəˈdʒektl/

An object propelled through the air, or capable of being so propelled.

The stone becomes a projectile as it flies from the slingshot.

A stone visibly flying away from the released pouch of a slingshot, with the airborne stone prominent and a few short motion strokes establishing propulsion.

Etymology

proLatinforward

+jectLatinto throw

+ileLatincapable of

The pieces describe something capable of being thrown forward. As a noun, projectile names the body propelled by force, whether thrown by hand or fired as a missile.

In context

NASA STI Program8:15

a projectile fired even faster will have a flight path away from the earth

Space Flight: The Application of Orbital Mechanics

More examples

The cannon fires a heavy projectile across the field.
Safety glasses protect your eyes from flying projectiles.
Students track the ball's projectile motion through the air.

Forms

projectile · projectiles

Similar words

missile: Usually a weapon launched toward a target, often guided.
bullet: Specifically a small metal projectile fired from a gun.