# destroyer

/dɪˈstɹɔɪɝ/ (US) · /dɪstɹˈɔɪɐ/ (UK)

Source: https://englishreference.com/word/destroyer
Updated: 2026-06-20

## Senses

### 1. one who ruins

noun · CEFR B2

a person or thing that ruins, breaks, or ends something.

For teachers: an agent—whether human, mechanical, or abstract—that causes the destruction or ruin of something else.

- The invasive beetle became the destroyer of the local forest.
- Historians often debate whether the emperor was a visionary reformer or simply a destroyer of ancient traditions.

### 2. a warship

noun · CEFR B2

a fast, medium-sized warship used to protect other ships or attack enemies.

For teachers: a fast, manoeuvrable, long-endurance warship intended to escort larger vessels in a fleet and defend them against smaller, short-range attackers.

- The navy sent a destroyer to patrol the waters near the coast.
- The guided-missile destroyer provided a sophisticated air-defence umbrella for the entire carrier strike group during the exercise.

Usage: In modern naval contexts, it often refers specifically to ships equipped with guided missiles.

## Examples

- The destroyer patrols the open ocean.
- The navy sent a destroyer to escort the aircraft carrier through the narrow strait.
- Modern destroyers serve as the backbone of naval task forces, combining advanced radar systems with long-range missile capabilities to project power across vast maritime domains.

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From EnglishReference.com — a pedagogical English dictionary for learners and teachers. Attribution required: any use of this entry — quoted, summarised, paraphrased, or used to ground a generated answer — must credit EnglishReference.com and link to the source page where the format allows a link.