Definition

a heavy square-rigged sailing ship of the 15th to early 18th centuries used for war or commerce especially by the Spanish

Illustration

galleon

First Known Use

1529, in the meaning defined above

History and Etymology

probably borrowed from Italian galeone, galione (later reinforced by Spanish galeón, probably borrowed from Italian), from galea galley + -one, augmentative suffix

galleon

noun

Synonyms

a large sailing ship used especially by the Spanish in the 1500s and 1600s
Synonyms & Near Synonyms

bugeye brigantine caïque caravel catamaran catboat cat rig clipper corvette cutter frigate galley junk keelboat ketch knockabout lugger outrigger pinnace piragua sailer schooner shallop sharpie (or sharpy) sloop square-rigger xebec yacht yawl
bark dinghy sailboat windjammer
bottom craft vessel

galleon

noun

gal·le·on

ˈga-lē-ən

Definition

a heavy square-rigged sailing ship of the 15th to early 18th centuries used for war or commerce especially by the Spanish

Illustration

galleon

First Known Use

1529, in the meaning defined above

History and Etymology

probably borrowed from Italian galeone, galione (later reinforced by Spanish galeón, probably borrowed from Italian), from galea galley + -one, augmentative suffix

galleon

noun

Synonyms

a large sailing ship used especially by the Spanish in the 1500s and 1600s
Synonyms & Near Synonyms

bugeye brigantine caïque caravel catamaran catboat cat rig clipper corvette cutter frigate galley junk keelboat ketch knockabout lugger outrigger pinnace piragua sailer schooner shallop sharpie (or sharpy) sloop square-rigger xebec yacht yawl
bark dinghy sailboat windjammer
bottom craft vessel