squadron

noun

squad·​ron ˈskwä-drən How to pronounce squadron (audio)
Synonyms of squadronnext
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.
What was left of the RAF fighter squadrons flew home while the Army units plus what was left of the French Army fell back on the beaches of Dunkirk on the Channel coast. — David Szondy august 30, New Atlas, 30 Aug. 2026 Biden raised troop levels there to about 100,000, backed by seven fighter squadrons, six destroyers, and roughly 100 nuclear gravity bombs. — Jennifer Kavanagh, Foreign Affairs, 28 Aug. 2026 Space Launch Delta 45’s weather squadron forecasts only a 60% chance for good launch conditions Sunday, which would improve to 70% if delayed until Monday. — Richard Tribou, The Orlando Sentinel, 28 Aug. 2026 Marine Corps and Navy test squadrons participated alongside Kratos, Northrop Grumman, and Autonodyne. — Aamir Khollam, Interesting Engineering, 18 Aug. 2026 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

Phrases Containing squadron

Browse Nearby Words

squadrol
squadron
squadroned
See all Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Squadron.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/squadron. Accessed 1 Sep. 2026.

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Kids Definition

squadron

noun
squad·​ron ˈskwäd-rən How to pronounce squadron (audio)
: any of several units of military organization

More from Merriam-Webster on squadron

Thesaurus: All synonyms and antonyms for squadron

Britannica.com: Encyclopedia article about squadron

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