destroyer

[dih-stroi-er]

noun

1. a person or thing that destroys.

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

destroyer

/ dɪˈstrɔɪə /

noun

1. a small fast lightly armoured but heavily armed warship

2. a person or thing that destroys

Other Word Forms

• self-destroyer noun

Word History and Origins

Origin of destroyer¹

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

Example Sentences

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

Read more on The Wall Street Journal

The Japanese destroyed or damaged three navy cruisers, three destroyers, an anti-aircraft training ship, and one minelayer, leading our nation into World War II. One hundred eighty-eight US aircraft were destroyed.

Read more on Literature

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."

Read more on 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."

Read more on 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.

Read more on BBC

Related Words

• battleship 
• ship 
• warship