1. small sailing ships or boats, especially those used as tenders to larger vessels
Usage: nautical; historical

Examples

• The crew lowered the pinnaces to ferry supplies from the merchant ship to shore.
• Several pinnaces accompanied the fleet as auxiliary vessels.
• The captain ordered the pinnaces to scout ahead for safe harbor.
• Pirates often used fast pinnaces to chase down larger, slower ships.
• The naval expedition included three frigates and six pinnaces.
• Sailors rowed the pinnaces through the shallow coastal waters.