Phrase guide

armed merchantman

noun · 2 senses · updated from the 2026-07-25 local source snapshot

Definitions and examples are grouped by meaning. Pronunciation, history, word forms, translations, descendants, synonyms, antonyms, derived terms, and related words appear whenever the source provides them.

Sound

Pronunciation

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No pronunciation record was provided for this word.

1

noun

Meaning 1

A merchant ship that has weapons aboard for fighting or potential fighting.

A warship converted from a merchant ship by the installation of weaponry, primarily for use in commerce raiding or defense against same.

Definition source: English Wiktionary via Wiktextract

Topics: government, military, nautical, politics, transport, war

No example sentence was provided for this meaning.

Meaning relationships

Synonyms: none provided

Antonyms: none provided

Broader terms: merchant ship, merchantman, ship, watercraft, vessel

2

noun

Meaning 2

A merchant ship that has weapons aboard for fighting or potential fighting.

A merchant ship equipped with weaponry for defense against pirates, etc.

Definition source: English Wiktionary via Wiktextract

Usage: historical

Topics: nautical, transport

No example sentence was provided for this meaning.

Meaning relationships

Synonyms: none provided

Antonyms: none provided

Broader terms: merchant ship, merchantman, ship, watercraft, vessel

History

Etymology

No etymology was provided for this word.