warhead
gb/wˈɔɹhˌɛd/ us/wˈɔɹhˌɛd/
B2
English
~ 9100
Senses
0 senses
Noun
technical
B2
entity
1
explosive part of a missile
The front part of a missile, rocket, or torpedo that holds the explosive material that will damage the target.
Usage pattern:
a warhead on [a missile]
Common mistake:
Learners sometimes confuse "warhead" with the whole weapon or missile. A "warhead" is only the explosive or destructive part at the front, not the entire missile or rocket.
Synonyms
explosive payload (More descriptive and general; used for any explosive carried by a weapon, not only missiles or torpedoes.)
Antonyms
inert warhead (Refers to a non-explosive training or test version, so it contrasts with an active, explosive warhead.)
Collocations
nuclear warhead
|conventional warhead
|missile warhead
|multiple warheads
|warhead design
|detonate a warhead
Themes
military
|technology
|security
|science
Examples
- The treaty limits the number of nuclear warheads each country can deploy.
- Engineers are working to make the missile’s warhead more accurate and reliable.
- Satellites detected what appeared to be a test of a new long-range missile with multiple warheads.
- Inspectors confirmed that the warheads had been removed from the aging missiles.
- The device was small, but its warhead was powerful enough to destroy an entire building.
Learner examples
- The missile carries a nuclear warhead.
- They removed the warhead before moving the rocket.
- This new warhead can hit a very small target.
- The news said the country now has more warheads.
- Scientists test the warhead in a safe area.
Grammar
Dictionary form
warhead
IPA
GB/wˈɔɹhˌɛd/
US/wˈɔɹhˌɛd/
Syllables & stress
war - head (2 syllables)
Stress on 1st syllable (war)
Word forms
Noun
- Base: warhead
- Plural: warheads
Word family
Expressions
No expressions linked to this entry yet.