What does warship mean?
A warship is a vessel designed or equipped for combat in war and other military operations. The term covers a broad range of naval ships, including destroyers, cruisers, submarines, and other specialized combat vessels; it is not restricted to large armored ships such as battleships. In general use, warships belong to organized naval forces and carry weapons, equipment, and personnel for military service. Historical warships also appear in accounts of battles, naval strategy, exploration, and trade, although vessels used primarily for commerce are not warships merely because they served during wartime. The word has a formal, military, and historical tone, but it is widely understood in news, education, literature, and discussion of naval affairs. Warship is especially useful when precision matters because it identifies a vessel by function rather than by a particular class, size, or design. The related term man-of-war conveys a somewhat more literary or historical flavor.
nounA ship designed, armed, or equipped for combat in war or military operations.
- A ship designed, armed, or equipped for combat in war or military operations.
"The treaty required the victorious power to surrender its warships."
"The treaty required the victorious power to surrender its warships."
"The museum restored a small warship that had served during a conflict in the nineteenth century."
The regular plural is formed by adding -s.
"The fleet contains six warships."
A warship is not merely a ship at sea; it is a purpose-built argument with an enemy, designed to turn the water into a battlefield.
Reviewed by Deb Chak, Editor. AI-assisted content curated by RJS Tech Solutions LLP.
Where does warship come from?
Warship is an English compound formed from war and ship, combining their meanings to denote a vessel intended for military conflict. The word ship descends from Old English scip, while war comes from Old English wær, meaning hostility or strife. The ship's Germanic relatives include German Schiff and Dutch schip, and the compound became established in English during the early modern period.
Related word forms
How warship is actually used
The term is standard in British and American English and has a formal, military, or historical register. It is broader than battleship and can refer to vessels of many sizes and specialized roles.
Easily confused with warship
A battleship is a specific type of heavily armored warship, whereas warship is the broader term for any vessel intended for combat.