frigate

[frig-it]

noun

1. a fast naval vessel of the late 18th and early 19th centuries, generally having a lofty ship rig and heavily armed on one or two decks.

2. any of various types of modern naval vessels ranging in size from a destroyer escort to a cruiser, frequently armed with guided missiles and used for aircraft carrier escort duty, shore bombardment, and miscellaneous combat functions.

frigate

/ ˈfrɪɡɪt /

noun

1. a medium-sized square-rigged warship of the 18th and 19th centuries

2. 1. a warship larger than a corvette and smaller than a destroyer

   2. (formerly) a warship larger than a destroyer and smaller than a cruiser

   3. a small escort vessel

Word History and Origins

Origin of frigate¹

1575–85; < Middle French frégate < Italian fregata, Sicilian fragata (> Spanish, Catalan, Pg); of obscure origin

Word History and Origins

Origin of frigate¹

C16: from French frégate , from Italian fregata , of unknown origin

Example Sentences

While Ferguson Marine has since secured some subcontracting work on the Royal Navy frigates being built in Glasgow, it has no more ship orders once MV Glen Rosa is finished next year.

From BBC

Ferguson's could benefit indirectly - it already has a small subcontracting order to build units for the frigate HMS Birmingham - but the demand might go further.

From BBC

It comes after BAE Systems, which runs military shipyards on the Clyde at Scotstoun and Govan, last week secured a contract to build Type 26 frigates for the Royal Norwegian Navy.

From BBC

It will create a combined UK-Norwegian fleet of 13 anti-submarine frigates - eight British and five Norwegian vessels - to operate jointly in northern Europe, significantly strengthening Nato's northern flank.

From BBC

As a junior officer he saw service around the world in a variety of frigates and destroyers.

From BBC

Related Words

• sailboat 
• ship 
• vessel 
• warship