Capital ship
A capital ship was a starship classification used by Starfleet.  vessels were not considered capital ships, but  ships were. () 

In 2381, Admiral Alonzo Freeman told Captain Carol Freeman that Starfleet was impressed by how she handled the Pakleds, and that she could be due for a promotion to commanding a capital ship so long as she kept a clean record. ()

Only officers of capital ships were invited to the Command Conference on Starbase 25. ()

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Spacecraft classifications