naval missile

6.8

A missile launched from a warship to hit enemy ships or land targets

noun
/ˈneɪvəl ˈmɪsəl/

Specialized

: misil naval

During the conflict, a naval missile was launched to intercept the incoming threat.

Examples

The destroyer was equipped with a new naval missile system capable of striking targets over 100 miles away.
The government invested in advanced naval missiles to strengthen its maritime defenses.
The ship launched a naval missile successfully.
Did the navy test a naval missile last week?
The warship successfully launched a naval missile during the training exercise.
Developers are working on a new naval missile system that can engage targets at long range.
The commander ordered the crew to prepare the naval missile for deployment in the upcoming operation.

Synonyms

missile

vsnaval missile

44 4.4

An object people throw, for example a stone, to hit someone or something

is specific to weapons launched from a warship

guided missile

vsnaval missile

Specialized

10 4.1

A rocket that can change its path in flight to hit a target

is defined by launch from a warship rather than propulsion or guidance

How Powerful

antiballistic missile

Specialized

1 5.9

cruise missile

Specialized

55 6.3

naval missile

Specialized

6.8

anti-submarine rocket

Specialized

7.3

Surface Forms

naval missile singular

naval missiles plural

Morphology

naval + missile

The meaning 'a missile associated with the navy' is directly and transparently derived from combining 'naval' (related to the navy) with 'missile' (a guided weapon). This adjective+noun compositional pattern is common and cross-linguistically predictable, so a B1 learner who knows both words would readily infer the MWE's meaning.

Etymology

Naval missile comes from the words naval and missile: naval relates to the 'navy' or ships, and missile is a weapon that is 'launched' at a target. So the phrase paints the image of a weapon fired from a warship, which is why it means 'a missile launched from a ship'.