squadron

UK: /ˈskwɒdrən/ US: /ˈskwɑdrən/ ,(skwod′rən)

WordReference Random House Learner's Dictionary of American English © 2025

squad•ron /ˈskwɑdrən/   n. [countable]

1. Military an army cavalry unit, a part of a naval fleet, or a group of war planes.

WordReference Random House Unabridged Dictionary of American English © 2025

squad•ron  (skwod′rən), n. 

1. Military a portion of a naval fleet or a detachment of warships;
   a subdivision of a fleet.
2. Military an armored cavalry or cavalry unit consisting of two or more troops, a headquarters, and various supporting units.
3. Military (in the U.S. Air Force).
   • the basic administrative and tactical unit, smaller than a group and composed of two or more flights.
   • a flight formation.
4. a number of persons grouped or united together for some purpose;
   group.

v.t. 

5. Military to form into a squadron or squadrons;
   marshal or array in or as if in squadrons.

• Italian squadrone, equivalent. to squadr(a) square + -one augmentative suffix
• 1555–65

Collins Concise English Dictionary © HarperCollins Publishers::

squadron / ˈskwɒdrən/ noun

1. a subdivision of a naval fleet detached for a particular task
2. a number of naval units usually of similar type and consisting of two or more divisions
3. a cavalry unit comprising two or more troops, headquarters, and supporting arms
4. the basic tactical and administrative air force unit comprising two or more flights

Abbreviation: sqn Etymology: 16th Century: from Italian squadrone soldiers drawn up in square formation, from squadro square