troop

1 of 2

noun

Synonyms of troopnext
1
a
: a group of soldiers
b
: a cavalry unit corresponding to an infantry company
c
troops plural : armed forces, soldiers
2
: a collection of people or things : crew sense 2
3
: a flock of mammals or birds
4
: the basic organizational unit of Scouts under an adult leader

troop

2 of 2

verb

trooped; trooping; troops

intransitive verb

1
: to move or gather in crowds
We all trooped back in.
2
: to go one's way : walk
They trooped off to school.
3
: to spend time together : associate
4
: to move in large numbers

Synonyms of troop

Examples of troop in a Sentence

Noun Where is his troop heading? a plan to withdraw troops a troop of enthusiastic children Verb We all trooped back inside. The kids trooped off to school.
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.
Noun
The war has continued escalating since, with Israel Defense Forces troops entering southern Lebanon at the beginning of a ground invasion, an operation that looks certain to expand. Brady Knox, The Washington Examiner, 26 Mar. 2026 At least 1,000 troops from the 82nd Airborne Division will be sent to the Mideast in the coming days, three people with knowledge of the plans told The Associated Press. Arkansas Online, 26 Mar. 2026
Verb
Amid the uproar, the Obama team trooped into a gloomy Oval Office to ponder its next move. Literary Hub, 23 Mar. 2026 Some trooped through soupy rain along Western Avenue at the South Side Irish St. Patrick’s Day Parade. Chicago Tribune, 16 Mar. 2026 See All Example Sentences for troop

Word History

Etymology

Noun

Middle French trope, troupe company, herd, of Germanic origin; akin to Old English thorp, throp village — more at thorp

First Known Use

Noun

1545, in the meaning defined at sense 1a

Verb

1565, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Time Traveler
The first known use of troop was in 1545

Browse Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Troop.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/troop. Accessed 30 Mar. 2026.

Kids Definition

troop

1 of 2 noun
1
a
: a group of soldiers
b
2
: a collection of people or things : company
3
: a flock of mammals or birds
4
: a unit of Boy Scouts or Girl Scouts under an adult leader

troop

2 of 2 verb
: to move or gather in crowds

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