Definition

Noun: A type of missile that uses a guidance system to detect and home in on the heat (infrared radiation) emitted by a target, such as an aircraft's engine.

Usage

A "heat-seeking missile" is a specific type of guided weapon. It is used to describe a missile that autonomously tracks a heat source. - The fighter jet deployed flares to confuse the incoming heat-seeking missile. - Modern heat-seeking missiles are far more accurate than their early predecessors.

Advanced Usage

• Technical Context: In military and aerospace engineering, the term specifies the missile's guidance method, distinguishing it from radar-guided or wire-guided missiles.
• Figurative Use: Rarely, it can be used metaphorically to describe something that unerringly seeks out a target or source of attraction.
  • The paparazzi were like heat-seeking missiles, drawn to the celebrity's every move.

Variants and Related Words

• Infrared-homing missile: A more technical synonym.
• Surface-to-air missile (SAM) / Air-to-air missile (AAM): Categories that can include heat-seeking variants.
• Guidance system: The internal mechanism that enables the missile to seek heat.

Synonyms

• Infrared-guided missile
• Heat-seeker (informal)

Related Phrases/Idioms

No common idioms or phrasal verbs are directly formed from this specific compound noun.

Noun

1. a missile with a guidance system that directs it toward targets emitting infrared radiation (as the emissions of a jet engine)