Dictionary
Thesaurus
Encyclopedia
Translator
Web

squadron

 - 2 dictionary results

squad⋅ron

[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).
a. the basic administrative and tactical unit, smaller than a group and composed of two or more flights.
b. a flight formation.
4. a number of persons grouped or united together for some purpose; group.
–verb (used with object)
5. to form into a squadron or squadrons; marshal or array in or as if in squadrons.

Origin:
1555–65; < It squadrone, equiv. to squadr(a) square + -one aug. suffix
Dictionary.com Unabridged
Based on the Random House Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2009.
Cite This Source Link To squadron
squad·ron   (skwŏd'rən)   
n.  
  1. A naval unit consisting of two or more divisions of a fleet.

  2. An armored cavalry unit subordinate to a regiment and consisting of two or more troops.

  3. A cavalry or armored unit of a European army, corresponding to a company.

  4. A basic tactical air force unit, subordinate to a group and consisting of two or more flights.

  5. A multitude or horde: "Squadrons of flies like particles of dust danced up and down" (T.E. Lawrence).


[Italian squadrone, augmentative of squadra, squad; see squad.]
The American Heritage® Dictionary of the English Language, Fourth Edition
Copyright © 2009 by Houghton Mifflin Company.
Published by Houghton Mifflin Company. All rights reserved.
Cite This Source
Search another word or see squadron on Thesaurus | Reference
FacebookTwitterFollow us: