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

See Examples For:

squadron squadrons

The United States Navy will deploy a nuclear-powered submarine squadron to a strategic Australian navy port this year, Canberra's defence minister said on Friday.

From Barron's ● Jun. 12, 2026

“The arrival of our squadron dispelled the danger.”

From Barron's ● Jun. 5, 2026

The Iranians then sent a squadron of small attack boats.

From The Wall Street Journal ● May 8, 2026

At the start of the month, Starmer said four additional jets would be sent to Qatar following the deployment of the Royal Air Force's joint UK-Qatari Typhoon squadron in January.

From BBC ● Mar. 31, 2026

He did not tolerate sadness or regret over a move in any member of his family, just as he did not tolerate poor morale among Marines in his squadron.

From "The Great Santini" by Pat Conroy

It also has several squadrons of F-15E fighters in Jordan.

From The Wall Street Journal ● Jan. 28, 2026

Sixty gliders towed by two RAF squadrons left the airfield at 07:00 GMT on 24 March 1945, carrying part of the 6th Airborne Division.

From BBC ● Mar. 15, 2025

It operates 31 fighter and combat squadrons - mostly Russian and Soviet-era aircraft - far below the sanctioned 42.

From BBC ● Mar. 3, 2025

First, there are his squadrons of antisocial children bursting into agency offices, demanding access to highly sensitive systems and information, and forcing the firings or resignations of the adults who express reservations.

From Slate ● Feb. 8, 2025

Cronies of theirs in other squadrons began dropping in unashamedly and using the tent as a hangout.

From "Catch-22" by Joseph Heller

Related Words

• armada
• battalion
• fleet
• squad