frigate

American  

[frig-it] / ˈfrɪg ɪt /

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 British  

/ 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

---

Etymology

Origin of frigate

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

Compare meaning

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

• frigate vs. destroyer
• frigate vs. corvette

Example Sentences

Would Spain be willing to send a frigate to help protect Cyprus, a fellow EU member?

From The Wall Street Journal • Mar. 27, 2026

India has invited the frigate to take part in its biennial military exercises along with participants from dozens of navies.

From The Wall Street Journal • Mar. 10, 2026

Photographs showed sailors in crisp whites and a grey frigate gliding in the sea harbour on a clear day.

From BBC • Mar. 6, 2026

Western nations seeking to secure the route for maritime traffic could consider frigate patrols or escorts for a particular ship -- possibly with extra air cover.

From Barron's • Mar. 6, 2026

Their instructions were to travel to Sumatra and chart the transit there, but after just one night at sea their ship was attacked by a French frigate.

From "A Short History of Nearly Everything" by Bill Bryson

Related Words

• sailboat
• ship
• vessel
• warship