# ship of the line

> English word · Noun

## Definitions
1. A large square-rigged warship large enough to have a place in the line of battle, with up to 140 guns on at least two decks. A capital ship from the age of sail, superior to a frigate; usually, a seventy-four, or three-decker.

## Etymology
Contraction of ship of the line of battle, a warship large enough to be in the line of battle. See also battleship, contracted from the same phrase; and line of battle ship.

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