battleship

noun

bat·​tle·​ship ˈba-tᵊl-ˌship How to pronounce battleship (audio)
: a warship of the largest and most heavily armed and armored class

Examples of battleship 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.
While crossing the English Channel, Neal looked down and saw a massive, breathtaking armada, thousands of battleships, cruisers and destroyers in the water. Brad Schmitt, Nashville Tennessean, 11 Nov. 2025 Somber but powerful, a visit allows people to take in the poignant USS Arizona Memorial – built directly over where the battleship sank, bringing the lives of over 1,000 crew members down with it and oil sheens still bubble up – along with the museum and other historic sites. Kathleen Wong, USA Today, 3 Nov. 2025 During every storm, a sunspot had revolved into position near the apparent center of the solar surface, like the turret of a battleship lining up its target. Literary Hub, 27 Oct. 2025 From an island shaped like a battleship to a village said to be home to a legendary witch, explore seven of the world’s eeriest, most mysterious destinations. Sarah Hutter, CNN Money, 27 Oct. 2025 See All Example Sentences for battleship

Word History

Etymology

short for line-of-battle ship

First Known Use

1794, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of battleship was in 1794

Browse Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Battleship.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/battleship. Accessed 20 Nov. 2025.

Kids Definition

battleship

noun
bat·​tle·​ship ˈbat-ᵊl-ˌship How to pronounce battleship (audio)
: a large warship with heavy armor and large guns

More from Merriam-Webster on battleship

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