frigate

[frig-it]

noun

1. a fast naval vessel of the late 18th and early 19th centuries, generally having a lofty ship rig and heavily armed on one or two decks.

2. any of various types of modern naval vessels ranging in size from a destroyer escort to a cruiser, frequently armed with guided missiles and used for aircraft carrier escort duty, shore bombardment, and miscellaneous combat functions.

frigate

/ ˈfrɪɡɪt /

noun

1. a medium-sized square-rigged warship of the 18th and 19th centuries

2. 1. a warship larger than a corvette and smaller than a destroyer

   2. (formerly) a warship larger than a destroyer and smaller than a cruiser

   3. a small escort vessel

Word History and Origins

Origin of frigate¹

1575–85; < Middle French frégate < Italian fregata, Sicilian fragata (> Spanish, Catalan, Pg); of obscure origin

Word History and Origins

Origin of frigate¹

C16: from French frégate , from Italian fregata , of unknown origin

Example Sentences

A new class of frigates is also in the works.

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Mr O'Neill said he secured the frigate for free after making a "cheeky request" to the Pakistani government, and he is working on plans to return it to the Clyde to become a museum ship.

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The incident comes two weeks after the Royal Navy tracked a Russian frigate and cargo vessel through the Channel.

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A German frigate has also docked in Copenhagen.

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In the east of the country, Babcock is also confident of securing export orders for Type 31 frigates being built at Rosyth.

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Related Words

• sailboat 
• ship 
• vessel 
• warship