# warship

/ˈwɔɹˌʃɪp/ (US) · /wˈɔːʃɪp/ (UK) · CEFR B2 · Noun

Source: https://englishreference.com/word/warship
Updated: 2026-05-08

## Definition

a large, strong ship built for fighting at sea. It carries weapons and is used by a country's navy.

For teachers: a ship designed and armed for naval combat. Typically operated by a sovereign state's naval forces and distinguished from merchant vessels by its offensive and defensive capabilities.

## Examples

- The warship sailed into the harbor this morning.
- The navy deployed a modern warship to patrol the international waters and protect trade routes from piracy.
- The treaty restricted the number of heavy warships each nation could maintain, aiming to prevent a naval arms race in the Pacific theater.

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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.