torpedo boat

American  

noun

1. a small, fast, highly maneuverable boat used for torpedoing enemy shipping.

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torpedo boat British  

noun

1. (formerly) a small high-speed warship designed to carry out torpedo attacks in coastal waters

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Etymology

Origin of torpedo boat

An Americanism dating back to 1800–10

Example Sentences

U-557 was rammed in error by the Italian torpedo boat Orione, west of Crete, and was sunk with all hands.”

From The Wall Street Journal

Navy planes to bomb North Vietnamese torpedo boat bases and called on Congress to authorize the use of force.

From Salon

George Chandler, 99, served aboard a British motor torpedo boat as part of a flotilla that escorted the U.S.

From Seattle Times

He crossed the same waters to save himself and 10 members of his crew after a Japanese destroyer split their torpedo boat, PT-109, in the predawn darkness of Aug. 2, 1943.

From New York Times

It said the vague outline could be made out on the radar scans as well as a second object, possibly a German torpedo boat, longer but more narrow.

From BBC