battleship

[ bat-l-ship ]

noun

1. any of a class of warships that are the most heavily armored and are equipped with the most powerful armament.
2. ship of the line.

battleship

/ ˈbætəlˌʃɪp /

noun

1. a heavily armoured warship of the largest type having many large-calibre guns
2. (formerly) a warship of sufficient size and armament to take her place in the line of battle; ship of the line

Word History and Origins

Origin of battleship¹

An Americanism dating back to 1785–95; battle ¹ + ship ¹

Example Sentences

"I know that we are going to make a difference at this conference. Thanks for the way you handled the situation. Maybe we can turn the battleship an inch or two."

From BBC

Joan’s expensive clothes and tight face lend the impression of a Bel-Air battleship.

From Los Angeles Times

Riders will occupy enclosed gondolas that will provide views of the working port, the USS Iowa battleship, the Vincent Thomas Bridge and passing cruise ships.

From Los Angeles Times

The force of the explosions, as one survivor recounted, seemed to lift the massive battleship out of the water before it settled and, within 15 minutes, capsized.

From Los Angeles Times

Worse yet, industrialization had spawned the battleship and the airship as engines for warfare of unprecedented range and destructive power, while modern science would also create nuclear weapons with the power to potentially destroy the planet itself.

From Salon