destroyer

American  

[dih-stroi-er] / dɪˈstrɔɪ ər /

noun

1. a person or thing that destroys.

2. a fast, relatively small, warship armed mainly with 5-inch (13-centimeter) guns.

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destroyer British  

/ dɪˈstrɔɪə /

noun

1. a small fast lightly armoured but heavily armed warship

2. a person or thing that destroys

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Other Word Forms

• self-destroyer noun

Etymology

Origin of destroyer

First recorded in 1350–1400; Middle English destroiere (compare Old French destruiere ); destroy, -er ¹

Compare meaning

How does destroyer compare to similar and commonly confused words? Explore the most common comparisons:

• frigate vs. destroyer

Example Sentences

The U.S. has deployed a tremendous amount of combat power to the Caribbean, including its most advanced aircraft carrier, several Navy destroyers, F-35B fighter jets and MQ-9 Reaper drones, among other weaponry.

From The Wall Street Journal

The Navy’s current inventory includes about 287 ships, including destroyers, cruisers, aircraft carriers, amphibious ships and submarines.

From The Wall Street Journal

In October, a US guided missile destroyer docked at Trinidad for four days for another round of practice drills -- within firing range of Venezuela, whose government called it a "provocation."

From Barron's

Last month, a US guided missile destroyer docked at Trinidad for four days for another round of practice drills -- within firing range of Venezuela, which called it a "provocation."

From Barron's

This force includes the USS Gerald R Ford aircraft carrier, as well as a range of guided missile destroyers and amphibious assault ships capable of landing thousands of troops.

From BBC

Related Words

• battleship
• ship
• warship