Destroyer (shortened to "destroyer") — a class of versatile, fast, and maneuverable combat ships designed to fight submarines, aerial vehicles (including missiles), and enemy ships, as well as to protect and defend naval formations or convoys while at sea. Destroyers can also be used for reconnaissance and patrol duties, artillery support during landings, laying minefields, and creating smoke screens.

The Russian term "миноносец" (minonosets) comes from the fact that in pre-revolutionary Russia, torpedoes were called "self-propelled mines." The term "эскадренный" (eskadrenny) indicates the ability of ships of this class to operate as part of a squadron in oceanic and sea zones. This designation was borrowed into Russian from French terminology of the late 19th to early 20th century (torpilleur d’escadre).

Abroad, including in modern French, the term "destroyer" (from English) is most commonly used — e.g., French destroyer, German Zerstörer, Polish niszczyciel, and so on. This term was originally a shortening of "torpedo boat destroyer," reflecting the initial purpose of these ships to intercept and destroy enemy torpedo boats with artillery fire (as torpedoes of that era were ineffective against small, fast-moving ships).

In the Russian navy during the Russo-Japanese War, these ships were also called "destroyers." Unlike destroyers, "ordinary" torpedo boats remained a class of light ships with less powerful artillery, often with relatively low seaworthiness and autonomy.

Before World War I, the primary role of destroyers was to torpedo attacks on the main enemy fleet units, especially large ships. During and after this war, they became versatile combat ships capable of performing a wide range of tasks, with the primary roles shifting to air defense and anti-submarine warfare. During this period, their displacement and significance within the fleet increased significantly, especially as battleships almost disappeared from world navies (in the 1950s and 1960s).

The largest modern destroyers have a displacement comparable to light cruisers of the World War II era but significantly surpass them in firepower.