noun

lightship

Quiz me More like this

Lightship (noun) means a ship anchored in place and showing a light to guide sailors, used where building a fixed lighthouse would be impractical. Example: “The old lightship now sits in the harbour as a museum piece.”

noun

nautical A ship anchored in place and showing a light to guide sailors, used where building a fixed lighthouse would be impractical.

"The old lightship now sits in the harbour as a museum piece."

"Before satellite navigation, ships relied on lightships to mark dangerous shoals."

"The lightship's crew kept the lamp burning through every storm."

How to use lightship

Learner’s notes

In plain EnglishA lightship is a moored ship that acts like a floating lighthouse for passing sailors.

When to use it

The word belongs to nautical and maritime-history contexts.

Memory tip

Think of a lightship as a lighthouse that floats, used where the seabed won't support a fixed one.

Trace the full origin ↓

Common pairings

a moored lightship the lightship's crew retired lightship historic lightship

Vocabulary Flow

Build your vocabulary from words like lightship.

Vocabulary Flow serves the next word, and the next — meaning, pronunciation and an example each time. Practice at your level, or learn English in your own language.

Start vocabulary practice

C2 · Advanced serendipity Fortunate discoveries made entirely by accident.

Gen Z slang rizz Charm — the ability to attract a romantic interest.

B2 · Intermediate empathy The capacity to share another person’s feelings.

C1 · Advanced nonchalant Casually calm and relaxed; unconcerned.

Internet slang delulu Delusional — believing something against the odds.

Etymology nostalgia Greek nostos “return home” + algos “pain”.

C2 · Advanced serendipity Fortunate discoveries made entirely by accident.

Gen Z slang rizz Charm — the ability to attract a romantic interest.

B2 · Intermediate empathy The capacity to share another person’s feelings.

C1 · Advanced nonchalant Casually calm and relaxed; unconcerned.

Internet slang delulu Delusional — believing something against the odds.

Etymology nostalgia Greek nostos “return home” + algos “pain”.

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

Fill the gap

Can you complete this real example?

The old _____ now sits in the harbour as a museum piece.

Etymology

Lightship is a compound of light and ship, formed directly in English. Related words in Middle Low German and Dutch show the same combination of ideas.

Origin: English

Synonyms

View more →

lightvessel

Frequently asked questions

What is a lightship?

A lightship is a ship that stays anchored in one spot and displays a light to warn or guide sailors, standing in for a lighthouse where one cannot be built.

Why were lightships used instead of lighthouses?

They were placed where a fixed lighthouse structure would be impractical.

Is a lightship the same as a lightvessel?

Yes, lightvessel is usually used to mean the same thing as lightship.

What is the meaning of lightship?

"lightship" (noun) means a ship anchored in place and showing a light to guide sailors, used where building a fixed lighthouse would be impractical.