surface-to-air

adjective

sur·​face-to-air ˈsər-fəs-ˌtü-ˈer How to pronounce surface-to-air (audio)
: launched from the ground against a target in the air

Examples of surface-to-air in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web
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Missiles and drones launched by Ukrainian Special Operations Forces have struck other high-value Russian military assets, according to reports, including a $45 million Russian Buk-M3 surface-to-air missile system in May and a rare Uragan multiple launch rocket system, United 24 Media reported. Brendan Cole, MSNBC Newsweek, 17 May 2025 Ukraine’s most urgent need is for long-range surface-to-air missiles that can protect cities and bases from the most powerful Russian ballistic missiles. David Axe, Forbes.com, 12 May 2025 Experts also note that India’s strikes successfully hit multiple targets in Pakistan – suggesting its missiles penetrated Pakistani air defenses, which are armed with Chinese surface-to-air missiles, including the long-range HQ-9B. Nectar Gan, CNN Money, 9 May 2025 To understand why, consider the Stinger: a surface-to-air missile with infrared capabilities to home in on targets but that is lightweight and shoulder fired. Michael Brown, Foreign Affairs, 22 Apr. 2025 See All Example Sentences for surface-to-air

Word History

First Known Use

1949, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of surface-to-air was in 1949

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Cite this Entry

“Surface-to-air.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/surface-to-air. Accessed 24 May. 2025.

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