torpedo boat

noun

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

torpedo boat

noun

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

Word History and Origins

Origin of torpedo boat¹

An Americanism dating back to 1800–10

Example Sentences

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

He graduated from Christ Church college at the University of Oxford in 1954 and then served in the Royal Naval Reserve for two years, rising to commander of a torpedo boat.

From Washington Post

Yet instead of accepting that he would not serve his country, Kennedy used his rich father's connections to get a dangerous assignment on Navy patrol torpedo boats in the South Pacific.

From Salon