squadron

noun

squad·​ron ˈskwä-drən How to pronounce squadron (audio)
1
: a unit of military organization: such as
a
: a cavalry unit higher than a troop and lower than a regiment
b
: a naval unit consisting of two or more divisions and sometimes additional vessels
c(1)
: a unit of the U.S. Air Force higher than a flight and lower than a group
(2)
: a military flight formation
2
: a large group of people or things
a squadron of limos

Examples of squadron in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
The specialist outlet The War Zone reported in late June that Kadena Air Base is expected to host two squadrons of F-15EX jets, each operating 18 aircraft. Ryan Chan, MSNBC Newsweek, 14 July 2025 Lex Luthor attempts to persuade the U.S. government to allow his own personal army of Raptors (a squadron of soldiers in mechanized flight suits) and his two cohorts, the Engineer (María Gabriela de Faría) and Ultraman, to take Superman in for interrogation. EW.com, 11 July 2025 Three weeks ago, Moscow struck again, this time with squadrons of armed drones that hit the thousand-year-old Saint Sophia Cathedral in Kyiv, a World Heritage wonder with golden domes and irreplaceable icons. Kevin Holden Platt, Forbes.com, 6 July 2025 There are extensive air defenses alongside multiple squadrons that can mobilize to shoot down incoming drones as part of its defense. Chelsea Chan, NBC news, 24 June 2025 See All Example Sentences for squadron

Word History

Etymology

Italian squadrone, augmentative of squadra squad, from Old Italian

First Known Use

1562, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Time Traveler
The first known use of squadron was in 1562

Browse Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Squadron.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/squadron. Accessed 25 Jul. 2025.

Kids Definition

squadron

noun
squad·​ron ˈskwäd-rən How to pronounce squadron (audio)
: any of several units of military organization
Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
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