corvette

American  

[kawr-vet] / kɔrˈvɛt /

Also corvet

noun

1. a warship of the old sailing class, having a flush deck and usually one tier of guns.

2. a lightly armed, fast ship used mostly for convoy escort and ranging in size between a destroyer and a gunboat.

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corvette British  

/ kɔːˈvɛt /

noun

1. a lightly armed escort warship

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Etymology

Origin of corvette

1630–40; < French, Middle French < Middle Dutch corver pursuit boat (derivative of corf fishing boat, literally, basket), with suffix altered to -ette -ette

Compare meaning

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

• frigate vs. corvette

Example Sentences

More than 100 Iranian naval vessels have been severely damaged, destroyed or sunk, including four Soleimani-class warships known as corvettes, more than 30 minelayers and a drone carrier, U.S. officials say.

From The Wall Street Journal

This week, the U.K. navy closely followed a Russian naval corvette and an oil tanker as the duo sailed through British waters toward the North Sea, according to the U.K.

From The Wall Street Journal

China and Iran deployed destroyer warships, while Russia and the United Arab Emirates sent corvette vessels.

From Barron's

AFP journalists near the Simon's Town base saw the Russian-flagged corvette vessel pull into False Bay.

From Barron's

A small corvette, on the other hand, could be built much more quickly, Clark said, particularly if the Navy works with a foreign shipbuilder.

From The Wall Street Journal

Related Words

• battleship
• cutter
• destroyer
• frigate
• gunboat
• submarine