noun
dreadnought class (warship)
Refers specifically to the class of battleships pioneered by HMS Dreadnought (1906). Used in historical or naval contexts.
弩級戦艦は20世紀初頭の海軍力を象徴していた。
Dreadnought-class battleships symbolized naval power in the early 20th century.
この博物館には弩級艦の模型が展示されている。
A model of a dreadnought-class ship is on display at this museum.
Super-dreadnought class; a later, more powerful generation of battleships. Also used figuratively to mean 'extraordinary' or 'massive'.
From 弩 (do, 'crossbow') + 級 (kyū, 'class'). The character 弩 was chosen as an ateji for 'dreadnought' based on the phonetic similarity of 'do' to the first syllable of 'dreadnought'.