naval

Relating to a country's military ships and the people who serve on them.

• He is a naval officer.
• The ships returned to their naval base.
• Several countries took part in the naval exercise.

Common phrases: naval base, naval officer, naval forces

Relating to ships generally, especially their design and construction.

• A naval architect designed the ferry.
• She studied naval architecture at university.
• The firm hired naval engineers to improve the ship's stability.

Common phrases: naval architect, naval architecture, naval engineering