squadron
[skwod-ruh n]
- a portion of a naval fleet or a detachment of warships; a subdivision of a fleet.
- an armored cavalry or cavalry unit consisting of two or more troops, a headquarters, and various supporting units.
- (in the U.S. Air Force).
- the basic administrative and tactical unit, smaller than a group and composed of two or more flights.
- a flight formation.
- a number of persons grouped or united together for some purpose; group.
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- to form into a squadron or squadrons; marshal or array in or as if in squadrons.
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Origin of squadron
Dictionary.com Unabridged
Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2018
Examples from the Web for squadron
Contemporary Examples
The President came in and our squadron commander called, “Attention on deck!”
Our squadron doctor was lean, well muscled, square jawed and blond.
The result was chaos, as Jones, who thought he was in charge of the entire Black Sea fleet, was only commanding “the squadron.”
On December 9, 2013, Norris met with Neubauer, her squadron commander Lt Col. Betsy Ross, Col. Tombe, and others.
The tribune was surrounded by a squadron of hussars of the National Guard.
Read ‘The King in Yellow,’ the ‘True Detective’ Reference That’s the Key to the ShowRobert W. Chambers
February 20, 2014
Historical Examples
The squadron retired at once, and reported the state of affairs.
The Story of the Malakand Field ForceSir Winston S. Churchill
With the loss of perhaps a dozen men the squadron might gallop through.
The Story of the Malakand Field ForceSir Winston S. Churchill
A squadron was engaged in covering the operations of a foraging party.
The Story of the Malakand Field ForceSir Winston S. Churchill
The squadron then dismounted and opened fire with their carbines.
The Story of the Malakand Field ForceSir Winston S. Churchill
I was ashore every day while the squadron remained in the port.
Ned MyersJames Fenimore Cooper
squadron
- a subdivision of a naval fleet detached for a particular task
- a number of naval units usually of similar type and consisting of two or more divisions
- a cavalry unit comprising two or more troops, headquarters, and supporting arms
- the basic tactical and administrative air force unit comprising two or more flights
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Abbreviation: sqn
Word Origin
C16: from Italian squadrone soldiers drawn up in square formation, from squadro square
Collins English Dictionary - Complete & Unabridged 2012 Digital Edition
© William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins
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Word Origin and History for squadron
n.
1560s, from Italian squadrone, augmentative of squadra "battalion" (see squad).
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Online Etymology Dictionary, © 2010 Douglas Harper