Illustration of caravel
caravel
noun
car·a·vel
ˈker-ə-ˌvel 
ˈka-rə-,
-vəl
: any of several sailing ships
specifically
: a small 15th and 16th century ship that has broad bows, high narrow poop, and usually three masts with lateen or both square and lateen sails
Examples of caravel in a Sentence
Recent Examples on the Web
The name, man o’ war, is derived from the animal’s resemblance to the Portuguese sailing warship, the caravel or man of war, in full sail.
—
Grrlscientist, Forbes.com, 23 June 2025
As this is the mid-Atlantic’s yachting capital, and an anchorage for caravels, clippers and seaplanes, the spirit of nautical bonhomie is pervasive.
—Jennifer Leigh Parker, Forbes.com, 6 June 2025
Wreck 5 was built using a method known as caravel planking, where planks are placed end to end without overlapping, archaeologist and project leader Håkan Altrock said in the release.
—Aspen Pflughoeft, Miami Herald, 7 Mar. 2025
Engulfed in the unpredictable Dionysian crowds rocking him left and right like a 15th century caravel, Reed vowed to carry on until morning like locals traditionally do.
—Ana Leorne, SPIN, 31 Dec. 2024
Wreck 5 was built using a method known as caravel planking, where planks are placed end to end without overlapping, archaeologist and project leader Håkan Altrock said in the release.
—Aspen Pflughoeft, Miami Herald, 7 Mar. 2025
Engulfed in the unpredictable Dionysian crowds rocking him left and right like a 15th century caravel, Reed vowed to carry on until morning like locals traditionally do.
—Ana Leorne, SPIN, 31 Dec. 2024
But what of those murals glorifying European colonization, with Christopher Columbus sweeping down from the sky in a caravel to find half-naked Native Americans?
—New York Times, 25 May 2021
More than that, though, the Portuguese were carrying on their wooden caravels an entirely unfamiliar culture from those the Chinese had previously met.
—Michael Schuman, The Atlantic, 6 June 2020
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.
Grrlscientist, Forbes.com, 23 June 2025
As this is the mid-Atlantic’s yachting capital, and an anchorage for caravels, clippers and seaplanes, the spirit of nautical bonhomie is pervasive.
—Jennifer Leigh Parker, Forbes.com, 6 June 2025
Wreck 5 was built using a method known as caravel planking, where planks are placed end to end without overlapping, archaeologist and project leader Håkan Altrock said in the release.
—Aspen Pflughoeft, Miami Herald, 7 Mar. 2025
Engulfed in the unpredictable Dionysian crowds rocking him left and right like a 15th century caravel, Reed vowed to carry on until morning like locals traditionally do.
—Ana Leorne, SPIN, 31 Dec. 2024
Wreck 5 was built using a method known as caravel planking, where planks are placed end to end without overlapping, archaeologist and project leader Håkan Altrock said in the release.
—Aspen Pflughoeft, Miami Herald, 7 Mar. 2025
Engulfed in the unpredictable Dionysian crowds rocking him left and right like a 15th century caravel, Reed vowed to carry on until morning like locals traditionally do.
—Ana Leorne, SPIN, 31 Dec. 2024
But what of those murals glorifying European colonization, with Christopher Columbus sweeping down from the sky in a caravel to find half-naked Native Americans?
—New York Times, 25 May 2021
More than that, though, the Portuguese were carrying on their wooden caravels an entirely unfamiliar culture from those the Chinese had previously met.
—Michael Schuman, The Atlantic, 6 June 2020
Cite this Entry
“Caravel.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/caravel. Accessed 8 Jul. 2025.
Copy CitationKids Definition
caravel
noun
car·a·vel
ˈkar-ə-ˌvel
-vəl
: a small 15th and 16th century ship with a broad bow, a high stern, and usually three masts
Love words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
Share