# lightship

> English word · Noun

## Definitions
1. A ship riding at anchor and displaying a light for the guidance of sailors, in a position where a fixed lighthouse structure would be impracticable.

## Etymology
From light (noun) + ship (noun). Cognate with Middle Low German lüchteschip (“lightship”), Dutch lichtschip (“lightship”).

## Source
Compiled from Wiktionary via kaikki.org (CC BY-SA). Data vintage: 2026-05-06.
Canonical page: https://plainspell.com/en/word/lightship