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
Miami Herald, 18 Sep. 2025
What To Know Early on Tuesday, a flotilla of ships from the Philippine Coast Guard and Fisheries Bureau approached Scarborough Shoal to deliver supplies to local fishermen.
—Micah McCartney, MSNBC Newsweek, 16 Sep. 2025
The Pentagon deployed a flotilla of eight vessels, along with surveillance planes and an attack submarine.
—Gisela Salim-Peyer, The Atlantic, 12 Sep. 2025
Advertisement In a statement, the flotilla’s Steering Committee said the Alma sustained fire damage on its top deck but that the fire was extinguished and all passengers and crew are safe.
—Callum Sutherland, Time, 10 Sep. 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 20 Sep. 2025.
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flotilla
noun
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