battle cruiser

noun

1. a warship of maximum speed and firepower, but with lighter armor than a battleship.

battle cruiser

noun

1. a warship of battleship size but with lighter armour and fewer guns and capable of high speed

Word History and Origins

Origin of battle cruiser¹

First recorded in 1910–15

Example Sentences

The British had responded by sending a battle cruiser and threatening an international boycott.

From The Daily Beast

We were then closely engaged with three German ships—a battle-cruiser and two light cruisers.

From Project Gutenberg

Next day we were joined by the battle cruiser Australia and the light cruiser Melbourne.

From Project Gutenberg

The battle cruiser has shown the value of speed and long-range guns combined, but in a comparatively restricted field.

From Project Gutenberg

Thus the battle cruiser had justified itself, and its justification is one of the striking lessons of the war.

From Project Gutenberg

The honors of the war, so far as the offensive goes, therefore, have been with the last battle cruiser.

From Project Gutenberg