gunboat

American  

[guhn-boht] / ˈgʌnˌboʊt /

noun

1. a small, armed warship of light draft, used in ports where the water is shallow.

2. any small ship carrying mounted guns. gun.

---

gunboat British  

/ ˈɡʌnˌbəʊt /

noun

1. a small shallow-draft vessel carrying mounted guns and used by coastal patrols, etc

---

Etymology

Origin of gunboat

First recorded in 1770–80; gun ¹ + boat

Example Sentences

In those days, when weak countries defaulted on their debts or otherwise offended great powers, marines on gunboats seized the customs offices in the ports of entry.

From The Wall Street Journal

The difficult topography, a local aversion to so-called “gunboat” diplomacy, and corrupt political regimes have been among foreign firms’ many obstacles.

From Barron's

The difficult topography, a local aversion to so-called “gunboat” diplomacy, and corrupt political regimes have been among foreign firms’ many obstacles.

From Barron's

“The ramifications over America’s gunboat diplomacy are likely to be more influential within Latin America,” Capital Economics’ Neil Shearing says in commentary.

From The Wall Street Journal

“The ramifications over America’s gunboat diplomacy are likely to be more influential within Latin America,” Capital Economics’ Neil Shearing said in a commentary.

From The Wall Street Journal

Related Words

• battleship
• corvette
• cutter
• destroyer
• frigate
• submarine