ship of the line

noun

1. a former sailing warship armed powerfully enough to serve in the line of battle, usually having cannons ranged along two or more decks; battleship.

ship of the line

noun

1. nautical (formerly) a warship large enough to fight in the first line of battle

Word History and Origins

Origin of ship of the line¹

First recorded in 1700–10

Example Sentences

The game was up with the Wasp and her prize, for the new ship was the Poictiers, a great seventy-four ship-of-the-line.

From Project Gutenberg

It soon became evident that the leading ship-of-the-line was gaining upon the frigate, and the latter cleared for action.

From Project Gutenberg

"Redoutable," French ship-of-the-line,Nelson mortally wounded by a shot from, ii.

From Project Gutenberg

Rather be a letter of marque, in fact, than a ship-of-the-line,—more credit to your Lordship's love of danger than discipline.

From Project Gutenberg

In that day, even a French ship-of-the-line was no model of discipline or order, and a letter-of-marque was consequently worse.

From Project Gutenberg