The Dreadnought battleship was a revolutionary type of warship introduced in the early 20th century. Launched in 1906 by the British Royal Navy, the HMS Dreadnought set new standards for naval design with its all-big-gun armament and steam turbine propulsion. This made it faster and more powerful than previous battleships, changing naval warfare forever. Dreadnoughts were characterized by their heavy firepower and thick armor, allowing them to engage enemy ships effectively. The term "dreadnought" became synonymous with this class of battleship, leading to a naval arms race among major powers, including Germany and the United States.