warship

American  

[wawr-ship] / ˈwɔrˌʃɪp /

noun

1. a ship built or armed for combat purposes.

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warship British  

/ ˈwɔːˌʃɪp /

noun

1. a vessel armed, armoured, and otherwise equipped for naval warfare

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Etymology

Origin of warship

First recorded in 1525–35; war ¹ + ship ¹

Explanation

A warship is a military sea vessel that's usually armed with weapons. A country's navy uses warships in battles or to transport troops. A battleship is one specific kind of warship, a very large one that's outfitted with weapons and heavily defended against attack. All warships are prepared for war (which is where they get their name), and most of them are controlled by the naval forces of a nation. Many countries move their warships into particular regions to exert political force on adversaries, or send them to protect civilian or cargo ships from pirate attacks.

Example Sentences

Yes, Soderbergh would’ve needed to hire a VFX team to produce images of a Spanish warship.

From Salon • Apr. 17, 2026

John P. Murtha, a 680-foot-long, 25,000-ton Navy transport dock warship, for an immediate medical evaluation.

From Los Angeles Times • Apr. 10, 2026

Gen Bewick says he's "chuffed to bits" to have a "super high-end" warship in the region, but adds that they now have good air defences on the base.

From BBC • Mar. 30, 2026

Central Command reported a majority of Iran’s missile, drone, and warship facilities are damaged or destroyed.

From The Wall Street Journal • Mar. 26, 2026

For the next meeting, André, dressed in the uniform of a British officer, was to arrive via a British warship, the Vulture.

From "George Washington, Spymaster" by Thomas B. Allen

Related Words

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