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.
© Webster 1913.