: an armed ship disguised as a merchant or fishing ship to decoy enemy submarines into gun range

Examples of Q-ship in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web
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During World War I, more than 200 Q-ships —and perhaps as many as 400—roamed the seas. Sean Kingsley, Smithsonian Magazine, 18 Feb. 2025

Word History

First Known Use

1919, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of Q-ship was in 1919

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Cite this Entry

“Q-ship.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/Q-ship. Accessed 5 Mar. 2025.

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
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