flotilla
noun
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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
Rebecca Boyle, The Atlantic, 10 Apr. 2026
The 39-day stretch will also include the city’s annual Pride March and celebrations and Sail4th250 — a massive flotilla of tall ships that will sail down the East River to coincide with the country’s Semiquincentennial.
—Josephine Stratman, New York Daily News, 8 Apr. 2026
The Simpson returned fire with four missiles of its own, disabling the Iranian boat, before it was finished off by gunfire from the US flotilla.
—Brad Lendon, CNN Money, 22 Mar. 2026
Adler said that both the flotilla that traveled to Gaza and the one heading to Cuba share several supporters.
—ABC News, 20 Mar. 2026
See All Example Sentences for flotilla
Cite this Entry
“Flotilla.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/flotilla. Accessed 17 Apr. 2026.
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flotilla
noun
