squadron

[skwod-ruhn]

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

/ 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

Word History and Origins

Origin of squadron¹

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

Word History and Origins

Origin of squadron¹

C16: from Italian squadrone soldiers drawn up in square formation, from squadro _square

Example Sentences

The light combat aircraft meant to replace it was conceived of in 1981, first flew in 2001 and, even now, decades later, only two squadrons are operational.

From BBC

An MoD spokesperson said the programme was within its "approved budget" and there would be two full squadrons of F-35s ready for deployment by the end of the year.

From BBC

Sharing the charts with a squadron of soundalikes hasn’t steered his new work in a less bitter direction.

From Salon

The operator was "notorious in the squadron, he genuinely seemed like a psychopath," the former colleague added.

From BBC

Mannsverk had been a Royal Norwegian Air Force squadron leader with deployments to Afghanistan and Libya, meaning he had plenty of experience of developing mental resilience.

From BBC

Related Words

• armada 
• battalion 
• fleet 
• squad