1. a privately owned armed ship commissioned by a government to attack enemy vessels during wartime
Usage: historical; nautical
2. the captain or crew member of such a ship
Usage: historical

1. to serve as a privateer or operate a privateer ship
Usage: historical; nautical

Examples

• The government issued letters of marque to privateers during the war.
• Captain Kidd began his career as a privateer before turning to piracy.
• Privateers were legally authorized to capture enemy merchant ships.
• The privateer sailed under both a national flag and a commission.
• Many privateers became wealthy from their share of captured prizes.
• During the American Revolution, privateers harassed British shipping.
• The crew decided to privateer against Spanish vessels in the Caribbean.