warship

noun

war·​ship ˈwȯr-ˌship How to pronounce warship (audio)
: a naval vessel

Examples of warship 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.
Facing the threat posed by the Chinese navy, which has over 370 ships and submarines, the U.S. has sent warships to the Western Pacific Ocean following upgrades, including a laser-armed destroyer and an aircraft carrier that has stealth fighter jets embarked aboard. Thomas G. Moukawsher, MSNBC Newsweek, 14 Apr. 2025 In February, Chinese warships held live-fire drills in waters near Vietnam in the Gulf of Tonkin, known as the Beibu Gulf in China, after Hanoi published a map defining its territorial claims there. Nectar Gan, CNN Money, 14 Apr. 2025 The organization confirmed that naval drones are part of the effort, as are frigates (warships) and maritime patrol aircraft. Will McCurdy, PC Magazine, 12 Apr. 2025 Although such warships occasionally help interdict drugs in international waters, the use of naval assets for domestic border control is very unusual. Risa Brooks, Foreign Affairs, 8 Apr. 2025 See All Example Sentences for warship

Word History

First Known Use

1533, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of warship was in 1533

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Cite this Entry

“Warship.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/warship. Accessed 22 Apr. 2025.

Kids Definition

warship

noun
war·​ship ˈwȯ(ə)r-ˌship How to pronounce warship (audio)
: a ship armed for combat

More from Merriam-Webster on warship

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