/æbm/ (ABM)

Definitions

1. noun

An antiballistic missile, a type of missile designed to intercept and destroy incoming ballistic missiles.

“The country is developing an ABM system to protect its major cities from nuclear threats.”

2. noun

Anti-Ballistic Missile, a 1970s US presidential project to create a system to shoot down incoming ICBMs.

“The ABM project was canceled due to high costs and technical issues.”

3. initialism

Anti-Ballistic Missile, used in abbreviations and acronyms related to military and defense projects.

“The ABM treaty was signed between the US and the Soviet Union in 1972.”