Definition of "frigate" []

• A warship, usually of 4,000 to 9,000 displacement tons, that is larger than a destroyer and smaller than a cruiser, used primarily for escort duty. (noun)
• A high-speed, medium-sized sailing war vessel of the 17th, 18th, and 19th centuries. (noun)
• Archaic A fast, light vessel, such as a sailboat. (noun)

American Heritage(R) Dictionary of the English Language, Fifth Edition. Copyright (c) 2011 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. All rights reserved.

• "Until the late 19th century the term frigate used to relate to a fast, medium-sized warship that was used for general tasks like scouting, patrolling and commerce raiding."
• "The Neustrashimy (Fearless) missile frigate is tasked with protecting Russian vessels, and foreign ships with Russian crew members, from potential pirate attacks."
• "The General said, "A frigate is already ordered by the Admiral.""