ballistics

noun

bal·​lis·​tics bə-ˈli-stiks 

plural in form but singular or plural in construction

1

a

: the science of the motion of projectiles in flight

b

: the flight characteristics of a projectile

2

a

: the study of the processes within a firearm as it is fired

b

: the firing characteristics of a firearm or cartridge

Examples of ballistics in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

Police later matched one of those guns to the ballistics gathered at a shooting that occurred at a Democratic official’s home earlier that day. —Cami Mondeaux, Washington Examiner, 21 Jan. 2023

While no rifle has been recovered, the ballistics may still offer critical evidence. —Nouran Salahieh, CNN, 8 Dec. 2022

Among the developments ballistics revealed, the 448-day break between the second and third victims and the rapidly closing gaps between victims thereafter: 34 days, then 19, then just six days as the death toll continued to mount. —Darrell Smith, Anchorage Daily News, 5 Oct. 2022

About a week later, prosecutors charged him with murder in the Pimlico shooting, citing ballistics testing. —CBS News, 14 Jan. 2023

Word History

Etymology

New Latin ballisticus ballistic + -ics, after New Latin ballistica

First Known Use

1675, in the meaning defined at sense 1a

Kids Definition

ballistics

noun singular or plural

bal·​lis·​tics bə-ˈlis-tiks 

1

: the science that deals with the motion of objects (as bullets or rockets) that are thrown or driven forward

2

: the flight characteristics of an object (as a bullet or rocket) that is thrown or driven forward

Legal Definition

ballistics

noun plural but singular or plural in construction

bal·​lis·​tics bə-ˈlis-tiks 

1

a

: the science of the motion of projectiles (as bullets) in flight

b

: the flight characteristics of a projectile (as a bullet)

2

: the study of the processes within a firearm as it is fired