squadron

American  

[skwod-ruhn] / ˈskwɒd rən /

noun

squadrons plural

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

Derived Forms

• half-squadron
  noun
• subsquadron
  noun

Inflected Forms

Nouns

• squadrons
  plural

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

Several of those killed were part of the 419th Flight Test Squadron, including Davis, Dee, Hovey and Smith.

From Los Angeles Times • Jun. 17, 2026

The RAF's RC-135W Rivet Joint is operated by No 51 Squadron and typically flies out of a base in Lincolnshire.

From BBC • May 20, 2026

They owed their quick recovery to two helicopters from the 40th Aerospace Rescue and Recovery Squadron.

From The Wall Street Journal • Apr. 8, 2026

A US Air Force plane from the 53rd Weather Reconnaissance Squadron, known as the Air Force Reserve Hurricane Hunters, flies into the eye of Hurricane Melissa, as the category 5 Hurricane approaches Jamaica.

From Barron's • Oct. 28, 2025

By the time we reach the battered cars of the Flying Squadron, his face is pinched in disgust.

From "Water for Elephants" by Sara Gruen

Related Words

• armada
• battalion
• fleet
• squad