corvette

noun

cor·​vette kȯr-ˈvet How to pronounce corvette (audio)
1
: a warship ranking in the old sailing navies next below a frigate
2
: a highly maneuverable armed escort ship that is smaller than a destroyer

Examples of corvette 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.
Taiwan launched its Kuang Hua VI fast attack missile boats and Tuo Chiang-class corvettes on Thursday in an attempt to deter an invasion from China amid Beijing's ongoing military activity in the Taiwan Strait, according to the AP. Daniel R. Depetris, Newsweek, 11 Jan. 2025 The arrival of the Ufa and Alatau came less than a week after three corvettes and a support vessel of Russia on Thursday as part of their Asia-Pacific deployment. Ryan Chan, Newsweek, 9 Dec. 2024 On November 3, 2024, a detachment of ships of the Pacific Fleet consisting of corvettes Gromky, Rezky and Hero of Russia Aldar Tsydenzhapov and support vessel Pechenga arrived on a friendly call at the port of Tanjung Perak in Surabaya. Ryan Chan, Newsweek, 3 Dec. 2024 According to Anton Gerashchenko, a former advisor to the interior ministry in Kyiv, the explosion damaged three ships, including two Gepard-class frigates—the fleet’s biggest ships—as well as a smaller Buyan corvette. David Axe, Forbes, 6 Nov. 2024 See all Example Sentences for corvette 

Word History

Etymology

French, from Middle French, probably from Middle Dutch corf, a kind of ship, literally, basket — more at corf

First Known Use

1636, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Time Traveler
The first known use of corvette was in 1636

Dictionary Entries Near corvette

Cite this Entry

“Corvette.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/corvette. Accessed 19 Jan. 2025.

Kids Definition

corvette

noun
cor·​vette kȯr-ˈvet How to pronounce corvette (audio)
1
: an armed naval sailing ship
2
: an armed escort ship that is small and fast

More from Merriam-Webster on corvette

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