WordWeight : Weighing the Words

Pronunciation : Squad"ron
Part of Speech : n.
Etymology : [F. escadron, formerly also esquadron, or It. squadrone. See Squad.]
Definition : 1. Primarily, a square; hence, a square body of troops; a body of troops drawn up in a square. [R.] Those half-rounding quards Just met, and, closing, stood in squadron joined. Milton.

2. (Mil.)

Defn: A body of cavarly comparising two companies or troops, and averging from one hundred and twenty to two hundred men.

3. (Naut.)

Defn: A detachment of vessels employed on any particular service or station, under the command of the senior officer; as, the North Atlantic Squadron. Totten. Flying squadron, a squadron of observation or practice, that cruises rapidly about from place to place. Ham. Nav. Encyc.
Source : Webster's Unabridged Dictionary, 1913