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
Callum Sutherland, Time, 10 Sep. 2025
Prediction market odds of Israel raiding a Gaza aid flotilla carrying climate activist Greta Thunberg are rising, jumping from less than 1 percent at the start of the month to nearly 80 percent by September 30, according to Polymarket.
—Amira El-Fekki, MSNBC Newsweek, 10 Sep. 2025
The vessel is one of around 50 in the flotilla attempting to break Israel’s naval blockade and carry aid into Gaza.
—Dalia Abdelwahab, CNN Money, 9 Sep. 2025
The flotilla includes Swedish activist Greta Thunberg, who in an earlier attempt to reach Gaza in June was captured at sea by Israel and deported.
—USA Today, 9 Sep. 2025
See All Example Sentences for flotilla
Cite this Entry
“Flotilla.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/flotilla. Accessed 15 Sep. 2025.
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flotilla
noun
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