lightning carrier

noun

A small light fast aircraft carrier specialized in operating VTOL aircraft, used for controlling sea lanes, convoy escort, and, anti-submarine patrol (ASW)

Similar
harrier carrier
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Meanings

nounlightning carrier (plural lightning carriers)

plural lightning carriers

  1. slangaeronauticsA small light fast aircraft carrier specialized in operating VTOL aircraft, used for controlling sea lanes, convoy escort, and, anti-submarine patrol (ASW)

    Synonyms: harrier carrier

Synonyms & antonyms

nounA small light fast aircraft carrier specialized in operating VTOL aircraft, used for controlling sea lanes, convoy escort, and, anti-submarine patrol (ASW)

Similar
harrier carrier
Also see
harrier carrier

Origin

Blend of lightning + aircraft carrier. From the Lockheed Martin F-35 Lightning II, the Lightning II jump jet, itself named after WWII Lockheed P-38 Lightning I, in turn, named after the lightning bolt and lightning.

Full word history & related roots →
Cite this entry
APA

lightning carrier. (n.d.). In WatkinsX Dictionary. Retrieved November 4, 2026, from https://dictionary.watkinsx.com/word/lightning%20carrier

MLA

“lightning carrier.” WatkinsX Dictionary, https://dictionary.watkinsx.com/word/lightning%20carrier. Accessed November 4, 2026.

Chicago

WatkinsX Dictionary, s.v. “lightning carrier,” accessed November 4, 2026, https://dictionary.watkinsx.com/word/lightning%20carrier.

Source: lightning carrier on Wiktionary, CC BY-SA 4.0.