warhead

noun

war·​head ˈwȯr-ˌhed How to pronounce warhead (audio)
: the section of a missile containing the explosive, chemical, or incendiary charge

Examples of warhead in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
Then Sean moves away and grows up to become a spy who, after wrapping up a mission involving smuggling a nuclear warhead for reasons unknown, decides to pay an impromptu visit to his tweenage buddies. — Alison Willmore, Vulture, 9 Oct. 2026 Their reunion is cut short when the group gets drugged and kidnapped by Agent Mosier (Corey Stoll), an aspiring CIA director who blames Sean for losing — or stealing — a nuclear warhead that was to be delivered to one of the agency’s allies. — Todd Gilchrist, Variety, 8 Oct. 2026 Instead of striking the target with an explosive warhead, the laser transfers energy into the target’s surface. — Prabhat Ranjan Mishra, Interesting Engineering, 2 Oct. 2026 Children and staff at the school were in shelters when the drone hit, Mayor Vitalii Klitschko said, and its warhead didn’t explode. — Susie Blann, Los Angeles Times, 1 Oct. 2026 See All Example Sentences for warhead

Word History

First Known Use

1890, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of warhead was in 1890

Rhymes for warhead

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Browse Nearby Words

war hawk
warhead
Warhol
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Cite this Entry

“Warhead.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/warhead. Accessed 14 Oct. 2026.

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Kids Definition

warhead

noun
war·​head ˈwȯ(ə)r-ˌhed How to pronounce warhead (audio)
: the section of a missile containing the charge

More from Merriam-Webster on warhead

Britannica.com: Encyclopedia article about warhead

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