patrol ship
5
3.7
- noun
- /pəˈtroʊl ʃɪp/
- Specialized
- Two Chinese fishing patrol ships also sailed in an area just outside Japan's territorial waters around the islets Tuesday for the 11th day in a row and signaled for a Japan Coast Guard cutter to get out, the coast guard said.
- Korean patrol ship
Examples
-
The navy deployed a new patrol ship to monitor the coastal waters for illegal fishing.
-
You're piloting a Max II patrol ship, right?
-
Any sign of that patrol ship yet?
-
One of our patrol ships is under attack from the main force approaching the fleet.
-
Theirs had been one of many patrol ships guarding the satellite network.
Fiction book (2002) -
The patrol ship was tasked with ensuring the safety of shipping lanes during the storm.
-
After receiving reports of suspicious activity, the patrol ship set course for the last known location.
Synonyms
8
3.5
A small boat that watches for danger and protects a coast or harbor
4
3.0
Police officers use a boat to patrol harbors and keep people safe on the water
3
5.2
A boat that watches and protects a harbor or ships
1
7.9
A navy ship kept ready to respond quickly to emergencies
1
8.5
A ship that watches for enemy ships or planes and warns other ships
1
8.0
A small boat that patrols and watches for danger near a harbor or fleet
Surface Forms
Morphology
The meaning is directly and transparently derived from combining 'patrol' (an activity/unit that monitors or guards an area) with 'ship' (a vessel); together they denote a vessel used for patrol duties. This noun–noun composition follows common patterns (compare 'patrol boat', 'patrol car') and is likely immediately comprehensible to a B1 learner who knows both words.
Etymology
Patrol ship: The compound patrol ship names a ship which 'patrols', moving along an area to watch and guard it. Imagine a small boat sailing slowly along the coast with crew looking for trouble; that image explains why the phrase means a boat sent to monitor and protect a place.