squadron

[ skwod-ruh n ]

/ ˈskwɒd rən /

SEE MORE SYNONYMS FOR squadron ON THESAURUS.COM

noun

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.

verb (used with object)

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

Nearby words

Origin of squadron

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

Related formshalf-squad·ron, nounsub·squad·ron, noun

Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2019

Examples from the Web for squadron

The President came in and our squadron commander called, “Attention on deck!”
I Shot Bin Laden|Elliot Ackerman|November 16, 2014|DAILY BEAST
Our squadron doctor was lean, well muscled, square jawed and blond.
I Shot Bin Laden|Elliot Ackerman|November 16, 2014|DAILY BEAST
On December 9, 2013, Norris met with Neubauer, her squadron commander Lt Col. Betsy Ross, Col. Tombe, and others.
Spies, Lies, and Rape in the Air Force: An Undercover Agent's Story|Jacob Siegel|March 4, 2014|DAILY BEAST
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 Show|Robert W. Chambers|February 20, 2014|DAILY BEAST

“I am going to get my squadron as a wedding present,” he rattled on.
Read ‘The King in Yellow,’ the ‘True Detective’ Reference That’s the Key to the Show|Robert W. Chambers|February 20, 2014|DAILY BEAST
Bought by the Squadron canteen in large barrels, it was sold at 2½ pt.
Through Palestine with the 20th Machine Gun Squadron|Unknown
Nothing is more terrible than the onset of a squadron of horse when charging an enemy upon the field of battle.
Cyrus the Great|Jacob Abbott
Our dinner to-night was to the admiral and officers of the newly-arrived British squadron.
An Autobiography|Elizabeth Butler
Dumanoir and his squadron were not more fortunate than the fleet from whose destruction they fled.
The Life of Horatio Lord Nelson|Robert Southey
An imaginary line, drawn to regulate the order of a squadron.
The Sailor's Word-Book|William Henry Smyth

British Dictionary definitions for squadron

squadron

/ (ˈskwɒdrən) /

noun

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

Abbreviation: sqn

Word Origin for squadron

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 Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012

Word Origin and History for squadron

squadron

1560s, from Italian squadrone, augmentative of squadra "battalion" (see squad).

squadron

noun

verb (used with object)

RELATED WORDS

Nearby words

Origin of squadron

Examples from the Web for squadron

British Dictionary definitions for squadron

squadron

noun

Word Origin for squadron

Word Origin and History for squadron

squadron