noun
ballistics
buh-LIHST-ihks
noun
1
The scientific study of how projectiles like bullets or rockets move through the air.
"Forensic ballistics helped police match the bullet to the gun."
"The course covers the ballistics of long-range rifle shots."
How to Use Ballistics
Learner’s notesIn plain EnglishThe science of how fired or thrown objects travel and behave.
Common pairings
forensic ballistics
ballistics expert
ballistics report
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Forensic _____ helped police match the bullet to the gun.
Etymology
Built from ballista (a stone-throwing siege engine) plus the -ics ending used for fields of study.