squadron
verbEtymology From Italian squadrone. See squad.
1
To divide up into squadrons.
squadron
nounUK /ˈskwɒd.ɹən/
Etymology From Italian squadrone. See squad.
1
Obsolete A body of troops drawn up in a square.
- Those half-rounding guards / Just met, and, closing, stood in squadron joined.1667, John Milton, “Book IV”, in Paradise Lost. […], London: […] [Samuel Simmons], and are to be sold by Peter Parker […]; [a]nd by Robert Boulter […]; [a]nd Matthias Walker, […], →OCLC; republished as Paradise Lost in Ten Books: […], London: Basil Montagu Pickering […], 1873, →OCLC:
2
Government, Military, Politics, War Historical A body of cavalry comprising two companies or troops, averaging from one hundred and twenty to two hundred soldiers.
3
Government, Military, Politics, War A body of infantrymen made up of several platoons, averaging from eighty to one hundred and fifty men, and led by a captain or a major.
4
Government, Military, Navy, Politics, War A detachment of vessels employed on any particular service or station, under the command of the senior officer
- the North Atlantic Squadron
5
Government, Military, Politics, War A tactical air force unit; consists of at least two flights; multiple squadrons make up a group or wing (depending on particular air force).
6
Government, Military, Politics, War Space Force, US A spaceforce unit; multiple squadrons make up an operations delta or a support garrison.
- Derived terms
- flying squadron, intersquadron, intrasquadron, squaddie, squaddy, squadrilla, squadron admiral, Squadron Leader, squadron leader, squadronmate, subsquadron
- Related terms
- squad