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.

---

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

---

Other Word Forms

• half-squadron
  noun
• subsquadron
  noun

Etymology

Origin of squadron

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

Explanation

In the military, a squadron is a small unit sent out from the main group to do some particular task. In the air force, for example, a squadron might fly out on a surveillance mission. This word comes from the military, but the meaning varies depending on the branch. In the army, a squadron is a cavalry (horses) unit that has at least two troops, which are smaller collections of soldiers. The squadron also includes a headquarters and support. In the air force, a squadron has at least two flights, which are the equivalent of troops. An air force squadron is smaller than a group and bigger than a flight in the basic chain of command.

Example Sentences

The Iranians then sent a squadron of small attack boats.

From The Wall Street Journal • May 8, 2026

A former commander of a pararescue jumpers squadron told CBS News that a rescue operation like the reported one in Iran would involve at least 24 pararescue jumpers scouring the area in Black Hawk helicopters.

From BBC • Apr. 4, 2026

One of his first initiatives was to deploy a new squadron of one-way attack drones copied from a widely used Iranian version, the Shahed-136.

From The Wall Street Journal • Mar. 12, 2026

“Flying through blizzard conditions, his squadron was ambushed by seven Soviet fighter planes.”

From Los Angeles Times • Feb. 25, 2026

It was an unwritten law in Bull Meecham’s squadron that anyone who neglected to bring back a shipment of Coors from the West Coast would be court-martialed upon his return and probably shot.

From "The Great Santini" by Pat Conroy

Related Words

• armada
• battalion
• fleet
• squad