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
David Hambling, Forbes.com, 26 Mar. 2025
The Chinese flotilla held a war game off the east coast of Australia in late February, which prompted airlines to divert flights.
—Josh Hammer, Newsweek, 20 Mar. 2025
While operating off the east coast of Australia, the Chinese flotilla held a war game, which had prompted airlines to divert flights.
—David Faris, Newsweek, 17 Mar. 2025
On Sunday, the flotilla was in the Sunda Strait, an Indonesian waterway.
—Faisal Kutty, Newsweek, 12 Mar. 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 22 Apr. 2025.
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flotilla
noun
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