squadron

American  

[skwod-ruhn] / ˈskwɒd rən /

noun

1. a portion of a naval fleet or a detachment of warships; a subdivision of a fleet.

2. an armored cavalry or cavalry unit consisting of two or more troops, a headquarters, and various supporting units.

3. (in the U.S. Air Force).

   1. the basic administrative and tactical unit, smaller than a group and composed of two or more flights.

   2. a flight formation.

4. a number of persons grouped or united together for some purpose; group.

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verb (used with object)

1. to form into a squadron or squadrons; marshal or array in or as if in squadrons.

squadron British  

/ ˈskwɒdrən /

noun

1. 1. a subdivision of a naval fleet detached for a particular task

   2. a number of naval units usually of similar type and consisting of two or more divisions

2. a cavalry unit comprising two or more troops, headquarters, and supporting arms

3. the basic tactical and administrative air force unit comprising two or more flights

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Other Word Forms

• half-squadron noun
• subsquadron noun

Etymology

Origin of squadron

1555–65; < Italian squadrone, equivalent to squadr ( a ) square + -one augmentative suffix

Example Sentences

There’s a buzzing in my ears like a squadron of drones.

From Literature

Ajax programme had "left its troubles behind" and was ready to be deployed with squadrons on operations.

From BBC

The squadron members—some on the ground, some in the air—were collecting data for electromagnetic warfare, but they also had money on their minds.

From The Wall Street Journal

"We have more than a full squadron ready to go, ready to fight, ready to win, with more in the pipeline," he added.

From BBC

As well as being used by the Royal Netherlands Air Force, Volkel Air Base hosts a US Air Force squadron as part of Nato.

From BBC

Related Words

• armada
• battalion
• fleet
• squad