Dreadnought

A dreadnought is a type of battleship that revolutionized naval warfare in the early 20th century. Characterized by its all-big-gun armament, specifically featuring ten or more large-caliber guns of a uniform size, and steam turbine propulsion, dreadnoughts were far more powerful and faster than the battleships that preceded them. Their design rendered previous warships obsolete, leading to a naval arms race. The term has since been used more broadly to describe anything that is particularly large, powerful, or formidable, especially in a military context. The name comes from the lead ship of the class, HMS Dreadnought.

Dreadnought meaning with examples

• The HMS Dreadnought's unveiling immediately rendered all other battleships obsolete, starting a frenzied naval arms race amongst the world's great powers. Britain and Germany, in particular, engaged in aggressive construction programs, vying for dominance in the North Sea. The sheer size and firepower made the dreadnought a terrifying presence on the world's oceans.
• The company’s new server room, housing the latest supercomputer, resembled a dreadnought, bristling with cooling fans and humming with barely contained power. Its processing capacity eclipsed anything seen before in the firm. Each rack of hardware, gleaming metal and wires, stood as a symbol of technological advancement and relentless innovation.
• During the air raid drill, the bomber appeared a dreadnought of destruction, its black silhouette casting a terrifying shadow. The sheer size and intimidating presence of the airplane, combined with its payload of bombs, were enough to make everyone take cover. The power made everyone uneasy in the classroom.
• The CEO entered the boardroom like a dreadnought, his steely gaze and imposing stature signaling a period of change was coming. He brought a new level of intensity to all meetings. His presence, and his reputation for decisive action, made everyone wary. A complete overhaul of the management structure was coming.