flotilla

noun

flo·​til·​la flō-ˈti-lə How to pronounce flotilla (audio)
1
: a fleet of ships or boats
especially : a navy organizational unit consisting of two or more squadrons of small warships
2
: an indefinite large number
a flotilla of changes

Did you know?

Flotilla comes from the diminutive form of the Spanish noun flota, meaning "fleet." Flota derives via Old French from Old Norse floti and is related to Old English flota (meaning "ship" or "fleet"), an ancestor to English's float. Much like other words referring to groups of particular things (such as swarm), flotilla has taken on expanded usage to refer simply to a large number of something not necessarily having to do with nautical matters, often with humorous effect (e.g., "a flotilla of rather mature-looking male models" — Jed Perl, The New Republic).

Examples of flotilla in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web While we guests have been sleeping and dining on gourmet breakfasts prepared by our respective hosts—thank you, Babi—the entire Yacht Week flotilla has been cruising from Trogir to a secluded cove on the Adriatic Sea with the express purpose of creating Circle Raft. Rob Reed, Forbes, 30 Sep. 2024 The courts have refused because the families of those aboard the Mavi Marmara and the IHH—the group that organized the flotilla and that has been accused of having ties to al Qaeda—have refused to drop them. Michael J. Koplow, Foreign Affairs, 29 June 2016 Our vessel is the longest in the flotilla at 55 feet, and it is truly designed for sailing. Rob Reed, Forbes, 30 Sep. 2024 The coffin was later paddled — in a traditional canoe flotilla — along the river to Taupiri Mountain, the final resting place of the king and other high-profile Maori, according to CNN. Rachel Treisman, NPR, 5 Sep. 2024 See all Example Sentences for flotilla 

These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'flotilla.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.

Word History

Etymology

Spanish, diminutive of flota fleet, from Old French flote, from Old Norse floti; akin to Old English flota ship, fleet — more at float

First Known Use

1711, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Time Traveler
The first known use of flotilla was in 1711

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Dictionary Entries Near flotilla

Cite this Entry

“Flotilla.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/flotilla. Accessed 31 Oct. 2024.

Kids Definition

flotilla

noun
flo·​til·​la flō-ˈtil-ə How to pronounce flotilla (audio)
: fleet entry 1 sense 1
especially : a fleet of small ships

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