armada
noun /ɑːˈmɑːdə/
/ɑːrˈmɑːdə/
- a large group of armed ships sailing together
- The Spanish Armada was sent to attack England in 1588.
- (figurative) A small armada of fishing boats blocked the port in protest against the new regulations.
CultureThe Armada or the Spanish Armada was the group of 129 ships sent by Spain in 1588 to attack England. A group of British ships, led by Lord Howard of Effingham's Ark Royal and Francis Drake's Revenge, defeated the Armada in the English Channel. It was the first sea battle in history involving large numbers of ships, and was seen by the English as a great victory. The word armada is now often used to mean any large group of ships.Word Originmid 16th cent.: from Spanish, from armata, feminine past participle of Latin armare ‘to arm’.