noun
- small warships armed with guns, typically used for coastal patrol or river operations
Usage: nautical; military
Examples
- The navy deployed gunboats to patrol the river delta.
- Several gunboats were stationed near the harbor entrance.
- The small gunboats provided fire support during the amphibious landing.
- Colonial powers often used gunboats to enforce trade agreements.
- The gunboats’ shallow draft allowed them to navigate inland waterways.
- Enemy gunboats approached under cover of darkness.