Also called Invincible Armada, Spanish Armada.the fleet sent against England by Philip II of Spain in 1588. It was defeated by the English navy and later dispersed and wrecked by storms.
2.
(lowercase) any fleet of warships.
3.
(lowercase) a large group or force of vehicles, airplanes, etc.: an armada of transport trucks.
"fleet of warships," 1530s, from Sp. armada "an armed force," from M.L. armata (see army). Especially of the "Invincible Armada" of Philip II of Spain (1588).