ship of the line: meaning, definition, pronunciation and examples

Not exactly. 'Battleship' is a later term for the dominant heavy-gun warship of the late 19th and early 20th centuries (steel, powered). 'Ship of the line' refers specifically to the large sailing warships that preceded them. However, 'battleship' is sometimes used informally for the historical role.

The British Royal Navy classified its ships of the line by 'rates' based on the number of guns. A first-rate had 100+ guns, a second-rate 90-98, a third-rate 64-80 (the most common), with fourth-rates being smaller two-deckers.

They became obsolete in the mid-19th century with the advent of steam power, ironclad hulls, and shell-firing guns, which rendered wooden sailing warships vulnerable. The last major fleet actions were in the 1850s (e.g., Crimean War).

Yes, though it's a literary device. It can describe a powerful, traditional, but potentially outdated institution or entity within a field, e.g., 'The newspaper was a last ship of the line in the age of digital media.'

A large, powerful warship of the Age of Sail, heavily armed with cannons on multiple decks and designed to fight in the main battle line of a fleet.

Ship of the line is usually historical, literary, nautical, figurative in register.

Ship of the line: in British English it is pronounced /ˌʃɪp əv ðə ˈlaɪn/, and in American English it is pronounced /ˌʃɪp əv ðə ˈlaɪn/. Tap the audio buttons above to hear it.