frigate
Americannoun
-
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.
-
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.
noun
-
a medium-sized square-rigged warship of the 18th and 19th centuries
-
-
a warship larger than a corvette and smaller than a destroyer
-
(formerly) a warship larger than a destroyer and smaller than a cruiser
-
a small escort vessel
-
Etymology
Origin of frigate
1575–85; < Middle French frégate < Italian fregata, Sicilian fragata (> Spanish, Catalan, Pg); of obscure origin
Compare meaning
How does frigate compare to similar and commonly confused words? Explore the most common comparisons:
Explanation
A frigate is a large boat that's used by a military during wartime. If you join the Navy, you may be assigned to work on a frigate. Ahoy! The word frigate has been used for a variety of seagoing vessels ever since the late 15th century. Over time, it's generally referred to larger and larger boats — the original frigates had oars and sails. One thing most frigates have had in common is maneuverability, or the ability to move with speed and agility. Today's frigate often carries a guided missile launcher.
Vocabulary lists containing frigate
Black Swan Green
Looking to grow your vocabulary? Check out this interactive, curated word list from our team of English language specialists at Vocabulary.com – one of over 17,000 lists we've built to help learners worldwide!
Chapter 10: The Jefferson Era
Interested in learning more words like this one? Our team at Vocabulary.com has got you covered! You can review flashcards, quiz yourself, practice spelling, and more – and it's all completely free to use!
The Downstairs Girl
Want to remember this word for good? Start your learning journey today with our library of interactive, themed word lists built by the experts at Vocabulary.com – we'll help you make the most of your study time!
Example Sentences
Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.
When an American frigate hit a mine during the so-called Tanker War, the U.S. sent in a force to clear out Iranian positions in the Gulf and destroyed Iranian ships that confronted it.
From The Wall Street Journal • Apr. 12, 2026
Would Spain be willing to send a frigate to help protect Cyprus, a fellow EU member?
From The Wall Street Journal • Mar. 27, 2026
A British naval frigate dispatched in response to the drone strike is on its way to the island.
From BBC • Mar. 19, 2026
The frigate was sunk by a US submarine on Wednesday just off Sri Lanka's southern coast.
From Barron's • Mar. 7, 2026
Are you aware that a navy frigate hardly weighs that much?
From "Atonement" by Ian McEwan
Definitions and idiom definitions from Dictionary.com Unabridged, based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023
Idioms from The American Heritage® Idioms Dictionary copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company.
