flotilla
noun
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Flotilla comes from the diminutive form of the Spanish noun flota, meaning "fleet." Flota derives via Old French from Old Norse floti and is related to Old English flota (meaning "ship" or "fleet"), an ancestor to English's float. Much like other words referring to groups of particular things (such as swarm), flotilla has taken on expanded usage to refer simply to a large number of something not necessarily having to do with nautical matters, often with humorous effect (e.g., "a flotilla of rather mature-looking male models" — Jed Perl, The New Republic).
Examples of flotilla in a Sentence
Hannah Parry, Newsweek, 10 Mar. 2025
The invasion, in which the proverbial Jose Gasparilla sails into the convention center basin with Ye Mystic Krewe and a flotilla of boats, goes from 11:30am-1pm.
—Kathryn Varn, Axios, 21 Jan. 2025
This case may be different, if reports are true that the flotilla is escorted by a nuclear-powered submarine, but this remains unconfirmed.
—David Faris, Newsweek, 27 Feb. 2025
Bailey recounted how, when flying a 777 airliner over the Persian Gulf, a US Navy aircraft carrier strike group once ordered him to alter his course to avoid going over the US flotilla.
—Brad Lendon, CNN, 25 Feb. 2025
See All Example Sentences for flotilla
Cite this Entry
“Flotilla.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/flotilla. Accessed 21 Mar. 2025.
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flotilla
noun
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