SQUADRON

Pronunciation (US):

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 Dictionary entry overview: What does squadron mean? 

• SQUADRON (noun)
  The noun SQUADRON has 3 senses:

1. a cavalry unit consisting of two or more troops and headquarters and supporting arms

2. an air force unit larger than a flight and smaller than a group

3. a naval unit that is detached from the fleet for a particular task

  Familiarity information: SQUADRON used as a noun is uncommon.

 Dictionary entry details 

• SQUADRON (noun)

Sense 1

Meaning:

A cavalry unit consisting of two or more troops and headquarters and supporting arms

Classified under:

Nouns denoting groupings of people or objects

Hypernyms ("squadron" is a kind of...):

cavalry (a highly mobile army unit)

Sense 2

Meaning:

An air force unit larger than a flight and smaller than a group

Classified under:

Nouns denoting groupings of people or objects

Hypernyms ("squadron" is a kind of...):

air unit (a military unit that is part of the airforce)

Hyponyms (each of the following is a kind of "squadron"):

escadrille (an air force squadron typically containing six airplanes (as in France during World War I))

Holonyms ("squadron" is a member of...):

wing (a unit of military aircraft)

Sense 3

Meaning:

A naval unit that is detached from the fleet for a particular task

Classified under:

Nouns denoting groupings of people or objects

Hypernyms ("squadron" is a kind of...):

naval unit (a military unit that is part of a navy)

Hyponyms (each of the following is a kind of "squadron"):

escadrille (a small squadron)

 Context examples 

Right across the foot of the hill there had sprung up a long wall of struggling horses and stricken men, which ever grew and heightened as fresh squadrons poured on the attack.

(The White Company, by Sir Arthur Conan Doyle)

On 11 July at dawn entered Bosphorus. Boarded by Turkish Customs officers. Backsheesh. All correct. Under way at 4 p. m. On 12 July through Dardanelles. More Customs officers and flagboat of guarding squadron. Backsheesh again.

(Dracula, by Bram Stoker)

A squadron is starting for the North Sea and another for the Irish Channel.

(Rodney Stone, by Sir Arthur Conan Doyle)

He had said to her, moreover, on the very last morning, that he hoped she might see William again in the course of the ensuing winter, and had charged her to write and invite him to Mansfield as soon as the squadron to which he belonged should be known to be in England.

(Mansfield Park, by Jane Austen)

There are six thousand men-at-arms with ten squadrons of slingers as far as I may judge their numbers.

(The White Company, by Sir Arthur Conan Doyle)

Do you mean to say, sir, said Captain Foley, that the duties of an officer upon a cruiser demand more care or higher professional ability than those of one who is employed upon blockade service, with a lee coast under him whenever the wind shifts to the west, and the topmasts of an enemy’s squadron for ever in his sight?

(Rodney Stone, by Sir Arthur Conan Doyle)

Alleyne, standing with his sword drawn amidst the archers, saw a long toss and heave of the glittering squadrons.

(The White Company, by Sir Arthur Conan Doyle)

Even in the quiet of the cottage of Friar’s Oak we could scarce have lived, were it not that in the blockading squadron in which my father was stationed there was the occasional chance of a little prize-money.

(Rodney Stone, by Sir Arthur Conan Doyle)

There too is the banner of Castile amid yonder sparkling squadron which heads the main battle.

(The White Company, by Sir Arthur Conan Doyle)

Right easy were the Montacutes of their Castle of Twynham, and little had they to dread from roving galley or French squadron, while Lady Mary Loring had the ordering of it.

(The White Company, by Sir Arthur Conan Doyle)