corvette

noun

cor·​vette kȯr-ˈvet How to pronounce corvette (audio)
Synonyms of corvettenext
1
: a warship ranking in the old sailing navies next below a frigate
2
: a highly maneuverable armed escort ship that is smaller than a destroyer

Examples of corvette in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
The navy also fields six Osa II missile boats, Pauk-class corvettes, minesweepers and numerous smaller patrol and support craft. — Antonio María Delgado, Miami Herald, 28 May 2026 The Grammy award-winning band was followed by a dozen corvettes carrying honorees and the university's new president, Dwayne Tucker. — Vivian Jones, Nashville Tennessean, 18 Oct. 2025 Its Russian captain allegedly acted on Russian intelligence and a Russian corvette ran reconnaissance. — Jill Goldenziel, Forbes.com, 26 June 2026 According to photos provided by the Japanese Defense Ministry, two of the Russian ships were the corvettes dispatched from Vladivostok, based on their hull numbers. — Anders Fogh Rasmussen, Newsweek, 4 Feb. 2025 See All Example Sentences for corvette

Word History

Etymology

French, from Middle French, probably from Middle Dutch corf, a kind of ship, literally, basket — more at corf

First Known Use

1636, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Time Traveler
The first known use of corvette was in 1636

Rhymes for corvette

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Browse Nearby Words

corves
corvette
corvid
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Cite this Entry

“Corvette.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/corvette. Accessed 10 Jul. 2026.

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Kids Definition

corvette

noun
cor·​vette kȯr-ˈvet How to pronounce corvette (audio)
1
: an armed naval sailing ship
2
: an armed escort ship that is small and fast

More from Merriam-Webster on corvette

Thesaurus: All synonyms and antonyms for corvette

Britannica.com: Encyclopedia article about corvette

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