Corvettes were a type of starship that were part of the United Federation of Planets Starfleet inventory.

Like the perimeter action ships, corvettes were patrol combatants (Ships of the Star Fleet) designed for high-warp military engagements. Unlike those ships, corvettes were designed for longer-duration missions, had slightly larger crew sizes and had a higher deadweight tonnage (though less than that of destroyers).

Examples of this type include the Mugato-class that first saw action during the Kelvan War in 2285. (Orion Press: In Harm's Way)

Klingons also fielded corvettes, like the K'pak-class. (Star Trek: The Stoneship Files: "A Knight without Armor")