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.
Any nation confronting Beijing will not face a handful of boutique drones or a symbolic squadron of stealth fighters. Amir Husain, Forbes.com, 3 Sep. 2025 John was a navigator on a B-17, flying 6 missions before being killed on April 18, 1944, when German fighters attacked his squadron. Hank Beckman, Chicago Tribune, 26 Aug. 2025 Space Launch Delta 45’s weather squadron forecasts a 65% chance for good conditions at the opening of the window, which improves to 80% by the end of it. Richard Tribou, The Orlando Sentinel, 21 Aug. 2025 Its aviation force consists of nine squadrons of fourth- and fifth-generation aircraft, the latter referring to F-35C stealth fighter jets. Ryan Chan, MSNBC Newsweek, 19 Aug. 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 10 Sep. 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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