noun
- small, fast sailing ships with triangular sails used especially by Spanish and Portuguese explorers in the 15th and 16th centuries
Usage: nautical; historical
Examples
- Columbus sailed to the Americas in three caravels: the Niña, the Pinta, and the Santa María.
- Portuguese caravels were instrumental in exploring the African coast.
- The museum displayed a detailed model of medieval caravels.
- Caravels were designed for long ocean voyages and could sail against the wind.
- Spanish caravels carried explorers to the New World in the late 1400s.
- The lightweight design of caravels made them ideal for exploration.