1. a sheltered area of water near the shore where ships can anchor safely
Usage: nautical

Examples

• The merchant ships waited in the roadstead before entering the busy port.
• Several naval vessels anchored in the protected roadstead during the storm.
• The captain decided to drop anchor in the roadstead rather than risk the shallow harbor.
• Pirates once used the hidden roadstead as a base for their operations.
• The ferry service operates between the mainland and the roadstead where cruise ships anchor.
• Strong winds made the exposed roadstead too dangerous for small boats.