projectile

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "projectile" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to refer to an object that is thrown, fired, or otherwise propelled, especially in a scientific or military context. Example: "The scientist conducted an experiment to measure the speed of the projectile after it was launched from the cannon."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Encyclopedias

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

On the death certificate, the cause of death was listed as "destruction of the brain mass due to penetration by a projectile from a firearm".

The Guardian

Sadly, two of our number were suffering from seasickness, and in my mind, Strangers in the Night's "do be do be do" refrain will be forever punctuated by the sudden sound of projectile vomiting and the sight of a sickly crewmember dash across the boat.

The Guardian - Travel

Across town in the western district, the centre of the demonstrations, one protester who had earlier vigorously taken part in efforts to push people away from police lines later turned on officers as he claimed to have been hit by projectile.

The Guardian

Keeping the electronics and explosives intact at launch requires "shaping" the energy as it is delivered to the projectile so that it accelerates a little more gently, says a former US defence official.

The Economist

The idea is that when hit, the metal in a projectile shorts the two charged plates together, forming a circuit and releasing a surge of electricity which can break the warhead up.Antoine Vincent, in charge of electric armour for the European Defence Agency (EDA), says it has tested well against RPGs.

The Economist

It uses radar and optical sensors to calculate the trajectory of an incoming warhead, and then intercepts it with a projectile fired from a roof-rack (pictured).

The Economist

They can behave however they want as long as they have the money to cover the premiums!The $70 currently in my wallet entitles me to a good three blocks on Michigan Avenue and a nice half-digested deep dish pizza projectile vomited all over the headrest.Mr Parsons goes on, but you get the point.

The Economist

IMAGINE that some huge rocky projectile, big enough to destroy most forms of life, was hurtling towards the earth, and it seemed that deep international co-operation offered the only hope of deflecting the lethal object.

The Economist

A powerful enough gun will propel the projectile so fast that the curve of its path is shallower than the curvature of the earth, which it will never hit.

The Economist

America's space agency, NASA, intends to use a huge copper projectile to blow a hole in another comet, to see what it looks like inside.

The Economist

Non-lethal weaponry must deliver enough energy the kinetic energy of a blunt projectile, the acoustic energy of a sonic blaster or the light energy of a "laser dazzler"—to produce an effect, but not so much as to cause harm.

The Economist

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When writing about scientific or military topics, use "projectile" to specifically refer to an object propelled by force, ensuring clarity and precision in your language.

Common error

Avoid using "projectile" interchangeably with general terms like "object" or "thing." "Projectile" implies a specific type of motion and force, so use it when that aspect is relevant to the context.

Linguistic Context

The term "projectile" functions primarily as a noun, designating an object propelled through space by force. As Ludwig AI indicates, it's commonly used to describe objects fired from weapons or moving under ballistic trajectories.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

35%

Science

33%

Encyclopedias

17%

Less common in

Formal & Business

15%

Wiki

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The word "projectile" is a common and grammatically correct noun that denotes an object propelled through space by a force. Ludwig AI confirms its validity. As evidenced by numerous examples from reputable sources like The Economist and The Guardian, it's frequently used in news, science, and encyclopedic contexts. Related terms include "missile", "rocket", and "bullet", each varying slightly in their specificity. When using "projectile", ensure it accurately reflects the context of an object being propelled, differentiating it from more general terms. Its consistent usage and clear definition make it a valuable term in technical and descriptive writing.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

missile

This is a more specific term, referring to a guided or unguided self-propelled weapon.

fired object

This specifies that the object was propelled by a firing mechanism.

rocket

This refers to a projectile propelled by a rocket engine.

bullet

This is a specific type of projectile fired from a firearm.

launched object

This is a more general term, applicable to any object that has been launched.

propelled object

Similar to "launched object", this describes an object moved by force.

ballistic object

This refers to objects moving under the force of gravity after propulsion.

ordnance

This term encompasses all types of ammunition, including projectiles.

airborne object

A general term for an object that is in the air. Not necessarily propelled.

flying object

Similar to airborne, but implies movement. Not necessarily propelled.

FAQs

How is "projectile" typically used in a sentence?

The word "projectile" is generally used as a noun to describe an object that is thrown, fired, or otherwise propelled through the air. For example: "The "missile" was a high-speed projectile."

What are some alternatives to using the word "projectile"?

Depending on the context, you could use alternatives such as "missile", "rocket", "bullet", or "launched object". The best choice depends on the specific type of object and how it is propelled.

Is "projectile" a formal or informal word?

"Projectile" is generally considered a neutral to formal word. It is commonly used in scientific, technical, and news contexts, but less so in casual conversation.

What's the difference between a "projectile" and a "missile"?

While both are propelled objects, a "projectile" is a general term for any object thrown or fired. A ""missile"" is a self-propelled guided or unguided weapon.