merchant ship

noun

: merchantman sense 2

Examples of merchant ship in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

For much of the late 17th century, Spanish merchant ships laden with the riches of the Americas sailed the Gulf of Nicoya under constant threat from English and French privateers. — Donna Hardie-Scott, Forbes.com, 22 July 2026

The Continental Navy also relied on privateers for military purposes during the American Revolution, and President James Madison approved the use of merchant ships to fight against the much larger British Royal Navy in the War of 1812. — Stephen Clark, ArsTechnica, 22 July 2026

The strikes were retaliation after three merchant ships were struck in the Strait of Hormuz, and underscored the fragility of an interim deal to end months of fighting between the two countries. — ABC News, 7 July 2026

During America's quasi-war with France in 1798, Talbot finally got command of his own ship, capturing several French privateers and convoying American merchant ships aboard the USS Constitution. — Catherine Messier, The Providence Journal, 3 July 2026

Word History

First Known Use

15th century, in the meaning defined above

Rhymes for merchant ship

• authorship
• battleship
• censorship
• chairmanship
• chieftainship
• comradeship
• consulship
• craftsmanship
• dealership
• draftsmanship
• fellowship
• fingertip

Kids Definition

merchant ship

noun

: merchantman