squadron
gb/skwˈɑdɹən/ us/skwˈɑdɹən/
C1
English
~ 6600
repülőszázad, hajóraj, lovasszázad, harckocsiszázad, sereg
NOUN
C1
1
repülőszázad
C1
Usage pattern:
a squadron of [aircraft]; a [fighter/bomber] squadron
The fighter squadron was scrambled within minutes to intercept the unknown aircraft.
A vadászrepülő-századot perceken belül riasztották, hogy elfogja az ismeretlen repülőgépet.
She was the first woman to command a front-line combat squadron in her country.
Ő volt az első nő, aki hazájában egy frontvonalbeli harci repülőszázad parancsnoka lett.
Three helicopter squadrons were deployed to support the relief operation after the flood.
The bombing campaign involved more than a dozen bomber squadrons flying nightly missions.
Learner examples
The air force squadron took off at dawn.
A légierő repülőszázada hajnalban szállt fel.
His brother serves in a helicopter squadron.
A bátyja egy helikopterszázadnál szolgál.
A fighter squadron protects the city from the air.
The navy created a new training squadron for young pilots.
Common mistake:
Learners sometimes use *squadron* to mean any military group on land. In modern English, it is most often used for groups of aircraft in an air force or naval air arm. For general military groups, words like *unit*, *company*, or *platoon* are more common.
Meaning
military unit of aircraft
Collocations
fighter squadron
|bomber squadron
|air force squadron
|training squadron
|naval air squadron
|combat squadron
Synonyms
unit (A general word for a military group; it does not specifically refer to aircraft.)
Antonyms
individual (Highlights a single person or aircraft, in contrast to an organized group like a squadron.)
Themes
military
|transport
|politics
|transportation
Definition
A group of military airplanes and the people who fly and look after them, forming one unit in the air force or navy.
A military aviation unit made up of several aircraft and their crews, usually forming a standard group within an air force or navy air arm.
NOUN
C2
TECHNICAL
2
hajóraj
C1
Usage pattern:
a squadron of [warships]; a [destroyer/cruiser] squadron
The destroyer squadron was ordered to escort the aircraft carrier through the strait.
A rombolóraj azt a parancsot kapta, hogy a szoroson át kísérje a repülőgép-hordozót.
A naval squadron patrolled the disputed waters throughout the summer.
Egy hadihajóraj egész nyáron a vitatott vizeken járőrözött.
During the battle, the cruiser squadron advanced to engage the enemy fleet.
Learner examples
A naval squadron guarded the coast.
Egy haditengerészeti hajóraj őrizte a partot.
The fleet sent a destroyer squadron to the area.
A flotta egy rombolórajt küldött a térségbe.
The squadron of warships moved together across the sea.
Common mistake:
Learners may confuse this with the more common air force meaning. When the context clearly involves ships or a navy, *squadron* refers to a group of warships.
Meaning
naval group of warships
Collocations
naval squadron
|battle squadron
|destroyer squadron
|cruiser squadron
|carrier battle squadron
Synonyms
flotilla (Also a group of ships, but often smaller or less formal than a full squadron and not always strictly military.)
Antonyms
single ship (Refers to one vessel acting alone, as opposed to a coordinated naval squadron.)
Themes
military
|sea
|politics
|transportation
Definition
A group of warships in a navy that work together as one unit.
A naval formation consisting of several warships that operate together as one tactical unit, usually within a larger fleet.
NOUN
C2
TECHNICAL
3
lovasszázad
C1
Usage pattern:
a [cavalry/tank/armored] squadron
The cavalry squadron charged across the field at dawn.
A lovasszázad hajnalban rohamozott át a mezőn.
In the new structure, each tank squadron will consist of three troops of armored vehicles.
Az új szervezetben minden harckocsiszázad három páncélos szakaszból fog állni.
The museum display explains how a typical horse-mounted squadron was organized in the 19th century.
Learner examples
The book tells the story of a cavalry squadron.
A könyv egy lovasszázad történetét meséli el.
Each tank squadron had many vehicles.
Minden harckocsiszázadnak sok járműve volt.
The army formed a new armored squadron for the operation.
Common mistake:
Learners may assume *squadron* always involves aircraft. In some military writing, especially about history, it can mean a unit of cavalry or tanks instead. This use is much less common in everyday modern English.
Meaning
cavalry or armored unit
Collocations
cavalry squadron
|tank squadron
|armored squadron
|horse-mounted squadron
Synonyms
company (A similar-sized army unit, but *company* is the standard term for infantry and is more general than the specialized use of *squadron*.)
Antonyms
civilian (Refers to people not serving in the military, the opposite of a structured military unit like a squadron.)
Themes
military
|history
|politics
Definition
A group of soldiers on horses or in tanks that forms one unit in an army, used mainly in military history or special army terms.
A military unit of cavalry or armored vehicles, roughly equivalent in size to a company or battalion, used especially in historical or specialized military contexts.
NOUN
C1
INFORMAL
4
sereg
B2
Usage pattern:
a squadron of [people/things]
A squadron of reporters followed the actor out of the courthouse.
Riporterek egész serege követte a színészt a bíróság épületéből kifelé.
We were served by a whole squadron of waiters at the wedding reception.
Az esküvői fogadáson pincérek egész serege szolgált ki bennünket.
A squadron of security guards appeared as soon as the alarm went off.
Learner examples
A squadron of photographers waited outside the hotel.
Fotósok egész serege várt a szálloda előtt.
Suddenly a squadron of waiters came to our table.
Egyszer csak pincérek egész serege jelent meg az asztalunknál.
A squadron of guards walked into the room.
Common mistake:
Learners sometimes use this figurative sense in serious military contexts, where it sounds strange. Use this meaning only when you want a slightly humorous or dramatic way to say “a large group,” especially of people like reporters or waiters.
Meaning
large group of people or things
Collocations
a squadron of waiters
|a squadron of reporters
|a whole squadron of guards
|a squadron of photographers
Synonyms
horde (Also means a large group, but often sounds more chaotic or threatening than *squadron*.)
Antonyms
handful (Means only a small number, the opposite of the large group implied by *squadron* in this sense.)
Themes
everyday_life
|humor
|communication
|core_vocabulary
Definition
A large group of people or things, said in a slightly funny or dramatic way by comparing them to a military unit.
A large, often humorous or exaggerated, group of people or things, compared to a military squadron in number or organization.
Grammar
Dictionary form
squadron
IPA
GB/skwˈɑdɹən/
US/skwˈɑdɹən/
Syllables & stress
squad - ron (2 syllables)
Stress on 1st syllable (squad)
Word forms
Noun
- Base: squadron
- Plural: squadrons
Word family
Forms
squadrons
noun
Related words
squad
noun A2
Expressions
bomber squadron
1/bˈɑmɚ skwˈɑdɹən/
fixed phrase
technical
squadron of bomber aircraft
A military air unit made mostly of bombers that are used to drop bombs on targets.
Examples
- The bomber squadron carried out night raids on enemy supply lines.
- During the war, he served in a heavy bomber squadron based overseas.
fighter squadron
1/fˈaɪtɚ skwˈɑdɹən/
fixed phrase
technical
squadron of fighter aircraft
A military air unit made mostly of fighter jets or fighter planes.
Examples
- The air force is forming a new fighter squadron to protect the capital.
- Two fighter squadrons were placed on high alert after the incident.
naval air squadron
1/nˈeɪvəl ˈɛɹ skwˈɑdɹən/
fixed phrase
technical
navy aviation squadron
A group of military aircraft that belongs to the navy instead of the air force.
Examples
- The carrier’s naval air squadron specializes in anti-submarine warfare.
- Several naval air squadrons took part in the joint exercise.
search and rescue squadron
1/sˈɚt͡ʃ ˈænd ɹˈɛskju skwˈɑdɹən/
fixed phrase
technical
search-and-rescue air squadron
A group of aircraft and crews whose main job is to find and save people in danger, for example at sea or in the mountains.
Examples
- The search and rescue squadron was dispatched after the boat sent a distress call.
- She joined a search and rescue squadron that responds to emergencies in remote areas.