1. a squadron of military aircraft, especially fighter planes
Usage: military aviation term; often used historically to refer to French air force units

Examples

• The Lafayette Escadrille was a famous American volunteer unit in the French air force during World War I.
• Each escadrille consisted of multiple fighter planes and their pilots.
• The escadrille conducted bombing runs over enemy territory.
• Pilots in the escadrille trained together and flew coordinated missions.
• The escadrille's emblem featured a distinctive insignia on the fuselage of each aircraft.