gunship

noun

gun·​ship ˈgən-ˌship How to pronounce gunship (audio)
: a helicopter or cargo aircraft armed with rockets and machine guns

Examples of gunship 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.
Its narrow fuselage and tandem cockpit became the template for future gunships. — Kaif Shaikh, Interesting Engineering, 8 June 2026 The Americans had total dominance over Iraqi airspace but stood back as Saddam unleashed helicopter gunships on the rebels. — Fintan O’Toole, The New York Review of Books, 9 Apr. 2026 After hours of fighting in the close urban setting, Dockery used smoke grenades to signal enemy positions for American gunships. — Arkansas Online, 20 June 2026 After hours of fighting in the close urban setting, Dockery used smoke grenades to signal enemy positions for American gunships. — ABC News, 18 June 2026 See All Example Sentences for gunship

Word History

First Known Use

1965, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of gunship was in 1965

Rhymes for gunship

See All Rhymes for gunship

Browse Nearby Words

gunsel
gunship
gunshot
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Cite this Entry

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

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Kids Definition

gunship

noun
gun·​ship -ˌship How to pronounce gunship (audio)
: an aircraft armed with rockets and machine guns for protection of ground troops or helicopters carrying them

More from Merriam-Webster on gunship

Nglish: Translation of gunship for Spanish Speakers

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