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

Plant an Afterlife garden, fighting to grow something in a realm of destroyers?

From Literature

The Royal Navy destroyer, HMS Dragon, is now providing additional air defences operating off the coast of Cyprus.

From BBC

Or a destroyer of the music those gatekeepers want to protect?

From The Wall Street Journal

Kharg Island, just 16 miles from the mainland, would require robust air defenses, likely including interceptor-equipped destroyers or sustained air cover.

From The Wall Street Journal

Friday’s missiles missed their target—one failed in flight and the other disappeared after a Navy destroyer launched SM-3 interceptors at them, U.S. officials said.

From The Wall Street Journal

Related Words

• battleship
• ship
• warship