squadron — English Dictionary

Noun

1. A body of troops drawn up in a square.

   Usage

   • Obsolete

   Examples

   Those half-rounding guards / Just met, and, closing, stood in squadron joined.

2. A body of cavalry comprising two companies or troops, averaging from one hundred and twenty to two hundred soldiers.

   Usage

   • Historical

3. 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. A detachment of vessels employed on any particular service or station, under the command of the senior officer

   Examples

   the North Atlantic Squadron

5. 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. A spaceforce unit; multiple squadrons make up an operations delta or a support garrison.

   Usage

   • Space-Force
   • US usage

Verb

1. To divide up into squadrons.

   Usage

   • Transitive

Noun

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

   Broader terms

   cavalry

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

   Broader terms

   air unit

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

   Broader terms

   naval unit