armada
/ɑːˈmɑːdə
/noun
1A fleet of warships.Fleets of aircraft, armadas of ships, armies of soldiers came across the English Channel and struck the German defenses....
- Instead of aerial armadas and huge tank fleets on the ground, the military response will also be low-key and downbeat but no less effective for having such a low profile.
- It clearly showed the vast armada of the invasion fleet standing just off the coast of Normandy.
Synonyms
fleet, flotilla, squadron, navy, naval force, (naval) task force
1.1 (the Armada or the Spanish Armada) A Spanish naval invasion force sent against England in 1588 by Philip II of Spain. It was defeated by the English fleet and almost completely destroyed by storms off the Hebrides.
Origin
Mid 16th century: from Spanish, from armata, feminine past participle of Latin armare 'to arm'.