Destroyer
dɪˈstrɔɪər
Definitions
2 meaningsA fast, maneuverable warship used to escort larger vessels or defend against submarines and aircraft.
dɪˈstrɔɪər
A warship.
The destroyer was equipped with advanced missile systems.
💡 Simply: Imagine a speedy warship, like a superhero on the sea, built to protect the bigger, slower ships and take out anything that tries to attack them. It's like the defender and fighter of the ocean!
👶 For kids: A big ship that protects other ships and fights the bad guys on the water.
More Examples
The fleet included two aircraft carriers and several destroyers.
The destroyer patrolled the ocean for any enemy ships.
How It's Used
"The navy deployed several destroyers to patrol the coastline."
A person or thing that causes great damage or ruin.
dɪˈstrɔɪər
A person or thing that destroys something.
The fire was a destroyer of homes and dreams.
💡 Simply: It's like a person or something that's good at messing things up or causing problems. Like a kid who tears apart their toys, but in a bigger, more serious way.
👶 For kids: Someone or something that breaks or ruins things.
More Examples
He was known as a destroyer of friendships.
The economic downturn acted as a destroyer of jobs.
How It's Used
"He was a destroyer of illusions, always exposing the truth."
From Middle English *destruer*, from Old French *destruere*, from Latin *dēstruere* ("to demolish, destroy"), from *dē-* ("down, away") + *struere* ("to build").
The term 'destroyer' came into common usage in the late 19th century, referring to fast warships designed to counter torpedo boats.
Memory tip
Think of a ship designed to destroy enemy vessels.
Word Origin
"to demolish, destroy (from *dē-* 'down, away' + *struere* 'to build')"