flotilla
Americannoun
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a group of small naval vessels, especially a naval unit containing two or more squadrons.
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a group moving together.
The governor was followed by a whole flotilla of reporters.
noun
Etymology
Origin of flotilla
1705–15; < Spanish, diminutive of flota fleet < French flotte < Old English flota
Example Sentences
Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.
The "Nuestra America" convoy, a flotilla of aid leaving Mexico, was delayed because of rough sea conditions but is expected to arrive in Havana's port on Monday.
From BBC • Mar. 21, 2026
A flotilla from Mexico is also expected to reach Havana by the end of the week.
From Barron's • Mar. 18, 2026
"We have a large armada, flotilla, call it whatever you want, heading toward Iran right now, even larger than what we had in Venezuela," the Republican president told reporters in the Oval Office.
From Barron's • Jan. 30, 2026
The U.S.’s most advanced aircraft carrier is in the region, along with a flotilla of warships and a force of Marines.
From The Wall Street Journal • Nov. 26, 2025
With Nixonian cunning, Calliope unwrapped and flushed away a flotilla of unused Tampax.
From "Middlesex: A Novel" by Jeffrey Eugenides
Definitions and idiom definitions from Dictionary.com Unabridged, based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023
Idioms from The American Heritage® Idioms Dictionary copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company.
