flotilla

[floh-til-uh]

noun

1. a group of small naval vessels, especially a naval unit containing two or more squadrons.

2. a group moving together.

   The governor was followed by a whole flotilla of reporters.

flotilla

/ fləˈtɪlə /

noun

1. a small fleet or a fleet of small vessels

Word History and Origins

Origin of flotilla¹

1705–15; < Spanish, diminutive of flota fleet < French flotte < Old English flota

Word History and Origins

Origin of flotilla¹

C18: from Spanish flota fleet, from French flotte , ultimately from Old Norse floti

Example Sentences

Armed agents have sauntered through downtown and manned a flotilla of boats on the Chicago River.

Read more on Los Angeles Times

The country is not facing flotillas of small boats arriving from the North Sea or the Baltic.

Read more on BBC

A flotilla of uncrewed "wolf pack" drone boats has successfully been used to escort warships in a Royal Navy and Army trial.

Read more on BBC

Israel has released the five remaining Spanish detainees from flotillas it blocked while they were carrying aid and pro-Palestinian activists to devastated Gaza, sources at Spain's foreign ministry said on Sunday.

Read more on Barron's

John Banville’s “Venetian Vespers” transports us to the mysterious Italian city that has lured a flotilla of writers to its shores.

Read more on The Wall Street Journal

Related Words

• armada 
• squadron