# shipbuilding

/ˈʃɪpˌbɪɫdɪŋ/ (US) · /ʃˈɪpbɪldɪŋ/ (UK) · CEFR B2 · Noun

Source: https://englishreference.com/word/shipbuilding
Updated: 2026-05-06

## Definition

the business or activity of designing and building large ships.

For teachers: the craft, industry, or occupation of constructing ships and other large vessels. Often refers to the industrial-scale manufacturing of maritime transport.

## Examples

- The city is famous for its long history of shipbuilding.
- The government provided subsidies to the shipbuilding industry to help it compete with international manufacturers.
- Advances in steel production and steam propulsion during the nineteenth century fundamentally transformed shipbuilding from a traditional craft into a massive industrial enterprise.

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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.