mothership
nounUK /ˈmʌðəʃɪp/
US /ˈmʌðərʃɪp/
A mothership is a big ship or spacecraft that smaller ones come from or go back to.
The little spaceships flew back to the mothership.
RELATED WORDS
OTHER MEANINGS
2. A large ship that carries and supports smaller boats or submarines.
The submarine returned to its mothership for supplies.
3. A main vehicle or base that supports smaller craft during a mission.
The helicopter refueled from the mothership before flying on.
4. In music, a term used for a main album or release that other works branch from.
The band's new record acts as a mothership for several side projects.