flotilla
noun
Did you know?
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
Antonio Maria Delgado, Miami Herald, 12 June 2024
While we guests have been sleeping and dining on gourmet breakfasts prepared by our respective hosts—thank you, Babi—the entire Yacht Week flotilla has been cruising from Trogir to a secluded cove on the Adriatic Sea with the express purpose of creating Circle Raft.
—Rob Reed, Forbes, 30 Sep. 2024
The courts have refused because the families of those aboard the Mavi Marmara and the IHH—the group that organized the flotilla and that has been accused of having ties to al Qaeda—have refused to drop them.
—Michael J. Koplow, Foreign Affairs, 29 June 2016
Our vessel is the longest in the flotilla at 55 feet, and it is truly designed for sailing.
—Rob Reed, Forbes, 30 Sep. 2024
See all Example Sentences for flotilla 
Dictionary Entries Near flotilla
Cite this Entry
“Flotilla.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/flotilla. Accessed 22 Nov. 2024.
Copy CitationKids Definition
flotilla
noun
Share