A sailing warship of the largest size, used in the line of battle.
〈史〉（最大型的）第一线作战军舰
Example sentencesExamples
The basic unit of sea power was the ship of the line or battleship, mounting a minimum of 40 or 50 guns, and 100 or more, capable of taking its place in the line of battle.
A ship of the line carried up to a thousand men, most of whom were gunners only needed in battle.
But the harbour was not good enough for the Royal Navy with their mighty ships of the line.
Inside, the library has something of the sober, purposeful and hand-crafted feel of a ship of the line of Nelson's time.
Ships of sixth rate and above were of sufficient size to qualify as ships of the line in naval battle.
Definition of ship of the line in US English:
ship of the line
noun
historical
A sailing warship of the largest size, used in the line of battle.
〈史〉（最大型的）第一线作战军舰
Example sentencesExamples
A ship of the line carried up to a thousand men, most of whom were gunners only needed in battle.
Ships of sixth rate and above were of sufficient size to qualify as ships of the line in naval battle.
Inside, the library has something of the sober, purposeful and hand-crafted feel of a ship of the line of Nelson's time.
But the harbour was not good enough for the Royal Navy with their mighty ships of the line.
The basic unit of sea power was the ship of the line or battleship, mounting a minimum of 40 or 50 guns, and 100 or more, capable of taking its place in the line of battle.