Squadron \Squad"ron\, n. [F. escadron, formerly also esquadron, or It. squadrone. See Squad.]

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

3. (Naut.) 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 Revised Unabridged Dictionary (1913)