exterior ballistics

noun plural but usually singular in construction

: a science that deals with the factors affecting the behavior of a projectile after the projectile leaves the muzzle of the firing weapon (such as the initial velocity of the projectile, the force of gravity, and atmospheric conditions) compare interior ballistics

Love words?

You must — there are over 200,000 words in our free online dictionary, but you are looking for one that’s only in the Merriam-Webster Unabridged Dictionary.

Start your free trial today and get unlimited access to America's largest dictionary, with:

• More than 250,000 words that aren't in our free dictionary
• Expanded definitions, etymologies, and usage notes
• Advanced search features
• Ad free!