What does "dreadnought" mean?
A battleship, especially of the World War I era, in which most of the firepower is concentrated in large guns that are of the same caliber.
Dreadnought
/ˈdɹɛd.nɔːt/ noun, slang
noun, slang ·Moderate ·High school level
Meaning at a glance
- Primary sense: A battleship, especially of the World War I era, in which most of the firepower is concentrated in large guns that are of the same caliber.
- Grammar: dreadnought is listed as noun, slang.
- Nearest alternatives: battleship, cruiser, dreadnaught, era-specific.
- Useful contrasts: advanced, contemporary, fragile.
- Usage evidence: Tom stuffed his cargo pants so full that he felt like a dreadnought.
How to use "dreadnought"
- Start with the primary definition, then check the part of speech before placing the word in a sentence.
- Compare nearby synonyms to make sure "dreadnought" carries the exact meaning, tone, and strength you need.
- Use the example sentence as a context check. If your sentence uses the word differently, confirm that the grammar still fits.
Meaning check
- Does the word fit the sentence's grammar?
- Does it match the intended tone rather than only the dictionary definition?
- Would a simpler synonym be clearer for the reader?
- Is there enough surrounding context to prevent ambiguity?
Source and review context
This entry combines structured lexical data with WordToolSet review checks. Definitions, examples, synonyms, and usage notes may come from different source tables, so the page is designed to show evidence from more than one angle before you rely on "dreadnought" in a final draft.
If a word has several senses, prefer the sense that matches your sentence's grammar and surrounding context. A correct definition can still be the wrong choice when the sentence needs a different register, emphasis, or level of specificity.
Before you rely on this definition
Read the first definition as a starting point, then check the example, synonyms, and part of speech before treating "dreadnought" as the right word for your sentence.
If your draft is formal, technical, persuasive, or sensitive, compare "dreadnought" with a nearby alternative so the final choice matches both meaning and reader expectation.
Compare nearby meanings
- Use synonyms when you need a softer, stronger, simpler, or more specific word.
- Use antonyms to check the boundary of the meaning and avoid accidental contrast.
- Use the example sentence to confirm the word behaves naturally in context.
- Keep the original wording when a replacement adds complexity without improving precision.
Definition decision workflow
1. Identify the role
Check whether "dreadnought" is acting as noun, slang in your sentence. A definition is only useful when the grammar matches the way the word is being used.
2. Test the nearest option
Compare it with "battleship" and other nearby choices to see whether the sentence needs a softer, stronger, or more familiar word.
3. Confirm with context
Use the example sentence below as an evidence check, then read your own sentence out loud to catch tone or rhythm problems.
Review note: Definition pages are checked for source coverage, sentence evidence, synonym support, and editorial insight before they are treated as approval-ready pages. If the evidence is too thin, the page remains available to users but is kept out of the approval-facing indexed inventory.
Final meaning check
Before publishing a sentence with "dreadnought", ask whether the word helps the reader understand the idea faster. A precise word should reduce confusion, not simply make the sentence look more polished.
When the definition, synonym evidence, and example context point in the same direction, the word is usually a safer choice. When they conflict, revise the sentence or choose a clearer alternative.
Definitions
Noun
- 1 A battleship, especially of the World War I era, in which most of the firepower is concentrated in large guns that are of the same caliber. historical
"Perturbed at being overtaken, the USS Texas is leading the 6th Battle Squadron at 22-and-a-half knots as the engineers pour everything they have into the effort. Behind the colossal clouds of smoke and cinders they put out come a seemingly-endless stream of dreadnoughts, battle flags flying from every mast and line they can find. It is the Grand Fleet."
- 2 One that fears nothing.
"“Lift up your head and your heart, O King. We must follow after this dreadnought, hard on her tracks.”"
- 3 battleship that has big guns all of the same caliber wordnet
- 4 A battleship, especially of the World War I era, in which most of the firepower is concentrated in large guns that are of the same caliber.; Any type of warship heavier in armour or armament than a typical battleship. historical, informal
"Sovereign is the flagship of the rogue Spectre Saren. An enormous dreadnought larger than any other ship in any known fleet, Sovereign is crewed with both geth and krogan. At two kilometers long, its spinal-mounted main gun is likely capable of penetrating another dreadnought's kinetic barriers with a single shot."
- 5 Something that assures against fear.
Show 4 more definitions
- 6 One that is the largest or the most powerful of its kind. broadly
"Herbert steering the dreadnought limousine through the night, black cap on his black head."
- 7 One that is the largest or the most powerful of its kind.; A type of acoustic guitar with a very large body and a waist that is less pronounced than on other guitar shapes, producing a deep, bold sound. broadly
- 8 One that is the largest or the most powerful of its kind.; A garment made of thick woollen cloth that can defend against storm and cold. broadly
""Much obliged to you, ma'am!" says Mr. Guppy, divesting himself of his wet dreadnought in the hall."
- 9 One that is the largest or the most powerful of its kind.; The cloth itself; fearnaught. broadly
Example
"Tom stuffed his cargo pants so full that he felt like a dreadnought."
Common questions
What is a synonym for "dreadnought"?
Common synonyms include: battleship, cruiser, dreadnaught, era-specific, formidable, historic.
How do you use "dreadnought" in a sentence?
Tom stuffed his cargo pants so full that he felt like a dreadnought.
How do you pronounce "dreadnought"?
Pronounced /ˈdɹɛd.nɔːt/.
Etymology
Etymology 1
Named after HMS Dreadnought, the first battleship finished of this type, itself named for Etymology 2.
Etymology 2
From dread + nought.