frigate

noun

frig·​ate ˈfri-gət 

1

: a light boat propelled originally by oars but later by sails

2

: a square-rigged war vessel intermediate between a corvette and a ship of the line

3

: a modern warship that is smaller than a destroyer

Did you know?

In the 17th–19th centuries, a frigate was a three-masted, fully rigged sailing ship, often carrying 30–40 guns in all. Smaller and faster than ships of the line (the principal vessels of naval warfare), frigates served as scouts or as escorts protecting merchant convoys; they also cruised the seas as merchant raiders themselves. In World War II, Britain revived the term frigate using it to describe escort ships equipped with sonar and depth charges, and used these ships to guard convoys from submarines. In the postwar decades, the frigate also adopted an antiaircraft role, adding radar and surface-to-air missiles. Modern frigates can sail at a speed of 30 knots and carry a crew of 200.

Examples of frigate in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

China may be preparing a more heavily armed version of its Type 054B frigate, potentially giving the warship 50 percent more missile launch capacity than the first ships in the class. — Aamir Khollam, Interesting Engineering, 14 Aug. 2026

Zelenskyy, who did not mention grain terminals, said Russia's Admiral Essen and Admiral Makarov frigates, a large landing ship, a corvette, and other vessels were struck in the attack. — Sam Meredith, CNBC, 13 Aug. 2026

Japan recently made major deals, including the joint development and transfer of 11 upgraded Mogami-class frigates to Australia. — ABC News, 3 Aug. 2026

Word History

Etymology

Middle French, from Old Italian fregata

First Known Use

1583, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Phrases Containing frigate

• frigate bird

Rhymes for frigate

• bigot
• spigot

Kids Definition

frigate

noun

frig·​ate ˈfrig-ət 

1

: a medium-sized square-rigged warship

2

: a modern warship that is smaller than a destroyer and that is used for escort and patrol duties