Merriam-Webster Logo
SINCE 1828
Menu
dictionary thesaurus

ship of the line

noun phrase

Definition of ship of the line

: a large warship; specifically : a square-rigged warship having at least two gun decks and designed to be positioned for battle in a line with other such ships

First Known Use of ship of the line

1706

in the meaning defined above

See Words from the same year
NEW! Time Traveler

Learn More about ship of the line

  1. See words that rhyme with ship of the line Britannica.com: Encyclopedia article about ship of the line

Seen and Heard

What made you want to look up ship of the line? Please tell us where you read or heard it (including the quote, if possible).

show hide

Love words? Need even more definitions?

Subscribe to America's largest dictionary and get thousands more definitions and advanced search—ad free!

Love words? Need even more definitions?

Subscribe to America's largest dictionary and get thousands more definitions and advanced search—ad free!

Words at Play

Ask the Editors

Word Games