Armada

[ ahr-mah-duh, -mey- ]

/ ɑrˈmɑ də, -ˈmeɪ- /

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noun

Also called Invincible Armada, Spanish Armada. the fleet sent against England by Philip II of Spain in 1588. It was defeated by the English navy and later dispersed and wrecked by storms.

(lowercase) any fleet of warships.

(lowercase) a large group or force of vehicles, airplanes, etc.: an armada of transport trucks.

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Origin of Armada

1525–35; <Spanish <Latin armāta armed forces, neuter plural of armātus (past participle of armāre to equip with arms). See arm², -ate¹

Words nearby Armada

Arlington Heights, Arlington National Cemetery, Arliss, Arlon, arm, Armada, Armada chest, Armada, Spanish, armadillo, Armageddon, Armagh

Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2021

How to use Armada in a sentence

Centuries later the Elizabethans and Jacobeans thought of Sluys as a historical precursor to the Spanish Armada.
The Day the Sea Ran Red: The Battle of Sluys|Dan Jones|May 6, 2013|DAILY BEAST
Even so, the dozen U.S. warships on station were the biggest contingent in this armada.
America’s Secret Libya War|John Barry|August 30, 2011|DAILY BEAST
An armada of sand crabs hefting a landlocked ship on their backs.
Hollywood's Nonsensical, Multibillion-Dollar Franchise|Chris Lee|May 18, 2011|DAILY BEAST
A spice boutique and cooking school now complete the "Maisons de Bricourt" armada.
A Superstar Chef Does the Unthinkable|Amelia Smith|November 17, 2008|DAILY BEAST

Then came tidings of a great French armada which was coming to the conquest of New England.
A short history of Rhode Island|George Washington Greene
This patriotic sentiment would seem to show that the book was written or published about the time of the Spanish Armada.
Witch, Warlock, and Magician|William Henry Davenport Adams
This was probably during one of the expeditions against Spain, after the Armada had been disposed of.
Notes and Queries for Worcestershire|John Noake
It was the treasure of Peru that armed the soldiers of Alva and laid the keels of the Armada.
South American Fights and Fighters|Cyrus Townsend Brady
Britain also can never forget the part that Plymouth played in repulsing the Great Armada.
The Cornwall Coast|Arthur L. Salmon

British Dictionary definitions for Armada (1 of 2)

armada

/ (ɑːˈmɑːdə) /

noun

a large number of ships or aircraft

Word Origin for armada

C16: from Spanish, from Medieval Latin armāta fleet, armed forces, from Latin armāre to provide with arms

British Dictionary definitions for Armada (2 of 2)

Armada

/ (ɑːˈmɑːdə) /

noun

the Armada See Spanish Armada

Collins English Dictionary - Complete & Unabridged 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012