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
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
Russia reportedly blew up one of its surface-to-air missile (SAM) systems believed to have been shipped to Moscow by Pyongyang, in the border region of Kursk, where a fresh incursion by Ukraine is underway. John Mac Ghlionn, Newsweek, 13 Jan. 2025 With no contingency plan, the IAF seized its opportunity, destroying over 100 Syrian surface-to-air missile batteries in 25 hours, according to the Israeli news site Ynet, along with the rest in the following days. Paul Iddon, Forbes, 8 Jan. 2025 At another point, a surface-to-air missile takes out a passenger airliner, something that really happened — but the attack is as purposeless here as the tragic original event, other than to remind us that Valet, who surveys the wreckage for valuables, is a degenerate. Boris Fishman, New York Times, 7 Jan. 2025 Even constrained by the low initial altitude, the toss method helps keep Ukrainian jets outside the range of Russia’s most dangerous surface-to-air missile batteries. David Axe, Forbes, 2 Jan. 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

Dictionary Entries Near surface-to-air

Cite this Entry

“Surface-to-air.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/surface-to-air. Accessed 22 Jan. 2025.

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
Love words? Need even more definitions?

Subscribe to America's largest dictionary and get thousands more definitions and advanced search—ad free!