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

A German frigate has also docked in Copenhagen.

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In the east of the country, Babcock is also confident of securing export orders for Type 31 frigates being built at Rosyth.

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He said Labour needed to be more confident at telling the story of its achievements, including the recent announcement of deal to build frigates on the Clyde for the Norwegian navy.

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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.

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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.

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Related Words

• sailboat 
• ship 
• vessel 
• warship