warhead
/ˈwɔːhed/ (bre, ipa) · [wˈɔrhˌɛd] /ˈwɔːrhed/ (ame, ipa) · [wˈɔrhˌɛd] /ˈwȯr-ˌhed How to pronounce warhead (audio)/ (ame, mw)
warhead — noun
- warheadsingular
- warheadsplural
1. the front compartment of a long-range weapon, such as a missile, bomb, or torped
the front compartment of a long-range weapon, such as a missile, bomb, or torpedo, that is packed with explosive or chemical agents and designed to destroy a chosen target
Saira watched a documentary about how a nuclear warhead works inside a missile.
collocation: nuclear warhead
The engineers inspected the warhead carefully before loading it onto the bomber.
International agreements limit the number of warheads each country may keep.
A single warhead from a torpedo can sink a large ship if aimed correctly.
During the Cold War, both sides built missiles that carried multiple warheads.
- payload
broader term that includes any cargo a rocket or missile carries (e.g. a satellite), not just explosives
- explosive charge
refers specifically to the explosive material inside the warhead, not the whole forward section
- warhead section
more technical term used in engineering; less common in general news reporting
用法筆記
Frequently modified by an adjective specifying the payload type, such as 'nuclear warhead', 'conventional warhead', or 'chemical warhead'. The number of warheads a missile carries is often a focus of disarmament treaties.