noun

gunboat

GUHN-boht

Gunboat (noun) means a small, lightly armed warship, historically used for coastal patrol or river operations. Example: “A gunboat patrolled the river to protect merchant vessels.”

noun

A small, lightly armed warship, historically used for coastal patrol or river operations.

"A gunboat patrolled the river to protect merchant vessels."

How to use gunboat

Learner’s notes

In plain EnglishA small armed naval vessel, smaller than a full warship.

Common mistake

"Gunboat diplomacy" is a common set phrase meaning the use of military threat to achieve political ends.

Common pairings

gunboat diplomacy

Word forms

gunboats plural

Study it as flashcards or scroll it in Flow — saved to your collection.

Test yourself on “gunboat” A quick quiz — meaning, synonyms & usage →

Fill the gap

Can you complete this real example?

A _____ patrolled the river to protect merchant vessels.

Etymology

A compound of gun and boat.

Rhymes for gunboat

oat boat coat goat moat float bloat gloat groat throat afloat tugboat

See all rhymes for gunboat →

Frequently asked questions

What does “gunboat” mean?

The word “gunboat” means a small, lightly armed warship, historically used for coastal patrol or river operations. In plain terms, a small armed naval vessel, smaller than a full warship.

How do you pronounce “gunboat”?

“Gunboat” is pronounced GUHN-boht (/ˈɡʌnˌboʊt/ in IPA).

How do you use “gunboat” in a sentence?

Here is “gunboat” used in a sentence: “A gunboat patrolled the river to protect merchant vessels.”

What part of speech is “gunboat”?

“Gunboat” is a noun.