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Definition of gunboat

gunboat

/ˈɡʌn.boʊt/
Plural:gunboats
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gunboat Lexical Profile

gunboat Game Scores & Validity

• noun

1

A small, relatively fast naval vessel designed with a shallow draft and armed with heavy artillery, traditionally used for patrolling coastal waters or rivers.

Example

"The historical maritime museum recently acquired a fully restored steam-powered gunboat from the late nineteenth century."

Synonyms
View all synonyms for gunboat

Word Nuance & Usage

While primarily a historical naval term, the word is frequently used attributively in modern contexts within the phrase 'gunboat diplomacy' to denote aggressive foreign policy supported by the threat of military force.

• Nearby Words

gumshoe
gumtree
gun
gunboat
gundi
gunfight
gunfighter

Word Origin & Etymology

Originates from the late 18th century, compounding 'gun' and 'boat' to describe small, shallow-draft vessels designed to carry a single heavy gun for coastal or riverine defense.

Usage Trend

Historical frequency of usage in published text.

180019102020
Data source: Google Books Ngram Viewer

Cite this Entry

Wordmom. (2026). Definition of Gunboat. In Wordmom Dictionary. Retrieved Nov 6, 2026, from https://wordmom.com/dictionary/gunboat
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