Definition: A generic type of ship, comprised of battleships and battlecruisers. As the largest and strongest craft in a fleet, 'capital' ships usually cost the most to build (a lot of capital), acted as the main focal points for the navy (capital as in the head of something) and embodied power and ability (capital being used to push a project forward). The term soon became entirely self-contained, referring to the high speed, massive armour and deadly guns of naval behemoths like Bismarck.

Other famous capital ships include Britain's Hood and Dreadnought and Germany's Tirpitz.