squadron

English

Part or all of this entry has been imported from the 1913 edition of Webster’s Dictionary, which is now free of copyright and hence in the public domain. The imported definitions may be significantly out of date, and any more recent senses may be completely missing.
(See the entry for squadron in Webster’s Revised Unabridged Dictionary, G. & C. Merriam, 1913.)

Etymology

From French escadron, formerly also esquadron, or Italian squadrone. See squad.

Pronunciation
  • (UK) IPA(key): /ˈskwɒd.ɹən/
  • Audio (US)(file)

Noun

squadron (plural squadrons) (abbreviated to: sqn)

  1. (obsolete) Primarily, a square; hence, a square body of troops; a body of troops drawn up in a square.
    • (Can we date this quote?) John Milton
      Those half-rounding guards Just met, and, closing, stood in squadron joined.
  2. (military, historical, army) A body of cavalry comprising two companies or troops, averaging from one hundred and twenty to two hundred soldiers.
  3. (military) A body of infantrymen made up of several platoons, averaging from eighty to one hundred and fifty men, lead by a captain or a major.
  4. (military, navy) A detachment of vessels employed on any particular service or station, under the command of the senior officer
    the North Atlantic Squadron
  5. (military, air force) A tactical air force unit; consists of at least two flights; multiple squadrons make up a group or wing (depending on particular air force).

Derived terms

Translations
army: body of cavalry
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