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minelayer

American  
[mahyn-ley-er] / ˈmaɪnˌleɪ ər /

noun

  1. a naval ship equipped for placing mines in the water.


minelayer British  
/ ˈmaɪnˌleɪə /

noun

  1. a warship or aircraft designed for the carrying and laying of mines

"Collins English Dictionary — Complete & Unabridged" 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012

Etymology

Origin of minelayer

First recorded in 1905–10; mine 2 + lay 1 + -er 1

Example Sentences

Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.

Taiwan also produces its own deterrent weapons, including minelayer ships, air defense missile systems and antiship cruise missiles.

From New York Times

Among the warships on display were the island's new minelayer as well as a stealth corvette, which has been dubbed by Taiwan's navy the "aircraft carrier killer" due to its complement of anti-ship missiles.

From Reuters

Terror, a minelayer, was anchored at Kerama Retto, off the southwest coast of Okinawa Island, where it was receiving casualties from nearby ships.

From New York Times

It was suspected that the ship was an enemy minelayer, but it was never proven.

From Fox News

Classes were lined up below their different silhouettes: cruisers, minelayers, destroyers, frigates, monitors, minesweepers, torpedo boats.

From The Guardian