gunboat

[ guhn-boht ]

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

/ ˈɡʌnˌbəʊt /

noun

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

Word History and Origins

Origin of gunboat¹

First recorded in 1770–80; gun ¹ + boat

Example Sentences

The rebels wished to advance from Lutao, but were kept back by the fire from the gunboat Maria Cristina.

From Project Gutenberg

Meanwhile, the Australian submarine has got up through the Narrows and has torpedoed a gunboat at Chunuk.

From Project Gutenberg

Subsequently a gunboat was sent to San Fernando de la Union to shell the town.

From Project Gutenberg

On that date the American gunboat Petrel and a large steam-launch suddenly appeared in Cebú harbour.

From Project Gutenberg

In January, 1899, a Spanish gunboat silently entered the port without the customary whistling and firing of salute.

From Project Gutenberg

Related Words

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