corvette — English Dictionary

Noun

1. A flush-decked warship of the 17th-18th centuries having a single tier of guns; it ranked next below a frigate; called in the United States navy a sloop-of-war.

   Usage

   • Historical

2. In a modern navy, a lightly armed and armoured blue water warship, smaller than a frigate, capable of transoceanic duty.

3. In a modern navy, a lightly armed and armoured blue water warship, smaller than a frigate, capable of transoceanic duty. A starship of comparable role

   Usage

   • broadly

Noun

1. a highly maneuverable escort warship; smaller than a destroyer

   Broader terms

   warshipwar vesselcombat ship