SQUADRON

squadron

(noun) an air force unit larger than a flight and smaller than a group

squadron

(noun) a cavalry unit consisting of two or more troops and headquarters and supporting arms

squadron

(noun) a naval unit that is detached from the fleet for a particular task

Source: WordNet® 3.1

Etymology

Noun

squadron (plural squadrons) (abbreviated to: sqn)

(obsolete) Primarily, a square; hence, a square body of troops; a body of troops drawn up in a square.

(military, historical, army) A body of cavalry comprising two companies or troops, averaging from one hundred and twenty to two hundred soldiers.

(military) 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.

(military, navy) A detachment of vessels employed on any particular service or station, under the command of the senior officer

(military, air force) A tactical air force unit; consists of at least two flights; multiple squadrons make up a group or wing (depending on particular air force).

(US, military, U.S. Space Force) A spaceforce unit; multiple squadrons make up an operations delta or a support garrison.

Source: Wiktionary

Squad"ron, n. Etym: [F. escadron, formerly also esquadron, or It. squadrone. See Squad.]

1. Primarily, a square; hence, a square body of troops; a body of troops drawn up in a square. [R.] Those half-rounding quards Just met, and, closing, stood in squadron joined. Milton.

2. (Mil.)

Definition: A body of cavarly comparising two companies or troops, and averging from one hundred and twenty to two hundred men.

3. (Naut.)

Definition: A detachment of vessels employed on any particular service or station, under the command of the senior officer; as, the North Atlantic Squadron. Totten. Flying squadron, a squadron of observation or practice, that cruises rapidly about from place to place. Ham. Nav. Encyc.

Source: Webster’s Unabridged Dictionary 1913 Edition