longship: meaning, definition, pronunciation and examples
C2Formal/Historical/Academic
Quick answer
What does “longship” mean?
A long, narrow, open wooden Viking warship, propelled by oars and sail.
Audio
Pronunciation
Definition
Meaning and Definition
A long, narrow, open wooden Viking warship, propelled by oars and sail.
The term is used almost exclusively to refer to the iconic, clinker-built ships used by Norse seafarers for trade, exploration, and raiding during the Viking Age (approximately 793–1066 AD).
Dialectal Variation
British vs American Usage
Differences
No significant difference in usage. The term is identical in both varieties.
Connotations
Evokes historical imagery of Vikings, conquest, exploration, and Norse culture equally in both BrE and AmE.
Frequency
Equally low-frequency in both varieties, used primarily in historical, archaeological, or popular cultural contexts.
Grammar
How to Use “longship” in a Sentence
The Vikings sailed [POSSESSIVE ADJ] longship across the North Sea.Archaeologists discovered the remains of a longship [PREP PHRASE].Vocabulary
Collocations
Examples
Examples of “longship” in a Sentence
verb
British English
- [Not used as a verb]
American English
- [Not used as a verb]
adverb
British English
- [Not used as an adverb]
American English
- [Not used as an adverb]
adjective
British English
- [Not used as a standard adjective. Attributive use exists: 'longship replica'.]
American English
- [Not used as a standard adjective. Attributive use exists: 'longship design'.]
Usage
Meaning in Context
Business
Not used, unless in the context of tourism, replica building, or historical media.
Academic
Common in history, archaeology, and maritime studies papers and lectures.
Everyday
Rare, only in discussions of history, TV shows, films, or museum visits.
Technical
Used in maritime archaeology and historical shipbuilding with precise specifications (e.g., keel length, strake count).
Vocabulary
Synonyms of “longship”
Strong
Neutral
Weak
Vocabulary
Antonyms of “longship”
Watch out
Common Mistakes When Using “longship”
- Using 'longship' for any historical ship (e.g., Greek trireme).
- Spelling as two words: 'long ship'.
- Using it as a verb or adjective (e.g., 'to longship', 'longshipping').
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
Essentially, yes. 'Drakkar' is often used specifically for the larger, dragon-headed longships, but it is a type of longship.
No. While iconic as warships, they were versatile vessels also used for trade, exploration, and colonization due to their speed and shallow draft.
No. It is a strictly historical term. Using it for a modern vessel would be metaphorical or poetic.
The Gokstad ship and the Oseberg ship, both excavated in Norway, are among the most complete and famous longships preserved.
A long, narrow, open wooden Viking warship, propelled by oars and sail.
Longship is usually formal/historical/academic in register.
Longship: in British English it is pronounced /ˈlɒŋʃɪp/, and in American English it is pronounced /ˈlɔːŋʃɪp/. Tap the audio buttons above to hear it.
Phrases
Idioms & Phrases
- “[No common idioms use 'longship'. The word itself is a culturally specific term.]”
Learning
Memory Aids
Mnemonic
LONG for its shape, SHIP for its function. Think: "The Viking's LONG boat was a SHIP built for speed."
Conceptual Metaphor
Metaphor for swift, direct, and formidable expansion or invasion (e.g., "The company deployed its products like Vikings in longships, quickly dominating new markets.").
Practice
Quiz
What is a defining characteristic of a longship?