gunboat

noun

gun·​boat ˈgən-ˌbōt How to pronounce gunboat (audio)
: an armed ship of shallow draft

Examples of gunboat 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.
That clears the path for mass deportations and sending Navy gunboats into the Channel to turn back small boats. — The Week Uk, TheWeek, 7 May 2026 Two Iranian gunboats were reported to have fired at a tanker in the Strait of Hormuz today, according to a British monitoring agency. — Claudio Lavanga, NBC news, 18 Apr. 2026 To reinforce the point, two vessels were fired upon some 20 miles off the coast of Oman, with Iranian gunboats responsible for the first attack, according to the tanker’s captain. — Max Saltman, CNN Money, 18 Apr. 2026 The notice came after an Iranian gunboat fired on a container ship Tuesday causing heavy damage to the bridge of the vessel, according to an incident report from UKMTO. — Spencer Kimball, CNBC, 23 Apr. 2026 See All Example Sentences for gunboat

Word History

First Known Use

1776, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of gunboat was in 1776

Phrases Containing gunboat

Rhymes for gunboat

See All Rhymes for gunboat

Browse Nearby Words

gunate
gunboat
gunboat diplomacy
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Cite this Entry

“Gunboat.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/gunboat. Accessed 7 Jul. 2026.

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Kids Definition

gunboat

noun
gun·​boat ˈgən-ˌbōt How to pronounce gunboat (audio)
: a small lightly armed ship for use in shallow waters

More from Merriam-Webster on gunboat

Nglish: Translation of gunboat for Spanish Speakers

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