torpedo boat
noun
: a boat designed for launching torpedoes
specifically
: a small very fast boat with one or more torpedo tubes
Examples of torpedo boat in a Sentence
Recent Examples on the Web
Towed behind a torpedo boat, the Shirley would sooner or later rise and fumble skyward, staying aloft exactly as long as its pilot's stamina held out and his sprocket chain stayed intact.
—
Jamie Kitman, Car and Driver, 5 Nov. 2013
Destroyers were invented in the 1880s, when they were called torpedo boat destroyers.
—Kyle Mizokami, Popular Mechanics, 2 Sep. 2022
The crew had commenced destroying classified materials and equipment, but the sailors could hold off the five torpedo boats and two aircraft only for so long.
—Abraham Mahshie, Washington Examiner, 20 Feb. 2020
That’s not news: for decades the PLAN has had hundreds of ships, torpedo boats, missile boats, frigates, and destroyers, all obsolete and lacking the latest technology.
—Kyle Mizokami, Popular Mechanics, 18 Dec. 2019
Its fleet ranges from torpedo boats to fast-moving patrol vessels and Zodiacs.
—Brian Murphy, Washington Post, 14 June 2019
There were a lot of ex-colonials like Allen in the Service, infuriatingly dense regarding aspects of intelligence work that did not involve torpedo boats or sword canes.
—Andrew Liptak, The Verge, 17 June 2018
Sherman, meanwhile, recounted John F. Kennedy’s heroism during World War II as commander of the torpedo boat PT-109.
—James Sullivan, BostonGlobe.com, 17 Apr. 2018
What isn’t disputed is that the ensuing battle saw the lightly armed Pueblo engage enemy torpedo boats and fighter aircraft.
—Mac William Bishop, NBC News, 26 Jan. 2018
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Jamie Kitman, Car and Driver, 5 Nov. 2013
Destroyers were invented in the 1880s, when they were called torpedo boat destroyers.
—Kyle Mizokami, Popular Mechanics, 2 Sep. 2022
The crew had commenced destroying classified materials and equipment, but the sailors could hold off the five torpedo boats and two aircraft only for so long.
—Abraham Mahshie, Washington Examiner, 20 Feb. 2020
That’s not news: for decades the PLAN has had hundreds of ships, torpedo boats, missile boats, frigates, and destroyers, all obsolete and lacking the latest technology.
—Kyle Mizokami, Popular Mechanics, 18 Dec. 2019
Its fleet ranges from torpedo boats to fast-moving patrol vessels and Zodiacs.
—Brian Murphy, Washington Post, 14 June 2019
There were a lot of ex-colonials like Allen in the Service, infuriatingly dense regarding aspects of intelligence work that did not involve torpedo boats or sword canes.
—Andrew Liptak, The Verge, 17 June 2018
Sherman, meanwhile, recounted John F. Kennedy’s heroism during World War II as commander of the torpedo boat PT-109.
—James Sullivan, BostonGlobe.com, 17 Apr. 2018
What isn’t disputed is that the ensuing battle saw the lightly armed Pueblo engage enemy torpedo boats and fighter aircraft.
—Mac William Bishop, NBC News, 26 Jan. 2018
See More
These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'torpedo boat.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.
Word History
First Known Use
1810, in the meaning defined above
Dictionary Entries Near torpedo boat
Cite this Entry
“Torpedo boat.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/torpedo%20boat. Accessed 1 Dec. 2023.
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Kids Definition
torpedo boat
noun
: a small very fast boat for firing torpedoes
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