flotilla

[ floh-til-uh ]

noun

1. a group of small naval vessels, especially a naval unit containing two or more squadrons.
2. a group moving together:

   The governor was followed by a whole flotilla of reporters.

flotilla

/ fləˈtɪlə /

noun

1. a small fleet or a fleet of small vessels

Word History and Origins

Origin of flotilla¹

1705–15; < Spanish, diminutive of flota fleet < French flotte < Old English flota

Word History and Origins

Origin of flotilla¹

C18: from Spanish flota fleet, from French flotte , ultimately from Old Norse floti

Example Sentences

We can realistically expect that during this century, the entire solar system—planets, moons, and asteroids—will be explored by flotillas of robotic craft.

From Nautilus

Whenever I had a free hour or two, I would drive to the woods, hike in a few feet and pull down invasive vines as if I were lowering the sails on a flotilla of ghost ships.

From Washington Post

During very popular seasons, flotillas of boats with all manner of snorkelers and scuba divers hit the water seeking “bugs.”

From Popular-Science

It’s done in summer from flotillas of small boats that prowl in water from knee-high to 8 feet deep.

From Popular-Science

The flotilla would also contain one larger balloon hoisting a heavier instrument known as a mass spectrometer—a machine capable of identifying complex biological molecules like proteins.

From Popular-Science

They were perched atop our five-boat flotilla and I cried like a baby.

From The Daily Beast

The pendant light is a flotilla of hot air balloons hand blown in glass.

From The Daily Beast

But I was oddly pleased when I heard that 500 people were treated for hypothermia after the flotilla.

From The Daily Beast

The Queen and The Duke of Edinburgh will travel in the Royal Barge which will form the centrepiece of the flotilla.

From The Daily Beast

The two countries are facing a major diplomatic rupture over a report on the Gaza flotilla raid, and neither side is backing down.

From The Daily Beast

Here the river turned abruptly northwest, and in the bay formed by its curve lay a flotilla of log rafts.

From Project Gutenberg

I must confess, however, that the French appeared to me equally mad, in expecting any thing from their flotilla.

From Project Gutenberg

I demanded of this veteran, pointing to the flotilla, when the Emperor intended to invade England?

From Project Gutenberg

Amidst such scenery the expeditionary flotilla began its voyage at eleven o'clock.

From Project Gutenberg

With a gentle breeze off shore the flotilla started in nearly the order assigned to it.

From Project Gutenberg

Related Words

• armada
• squadron