armada

Everyday

1. A large group of warships. tree →
2. The Spanish Armada: the great fleet that King Philip II of Spain sent to invade England in the time of Queen Elizabeth I; it was defeated and wrecked by storms. tree →
3. (informal) Any large group of boats or vehicles. tree →

In the lessons

In history lessons the Spanish Armada is a famous story about the Tudors, Francis Drake, fire ships and storms. In everyday writing, an armada of boats means a lot of them. Phrases: the Spanish Armada.

Examples

• The Spanish Armada sailed to attack England. tree →
• Storms wrecked many ships of the Armada. tree →
• The English sent fire ships among the Armada's ships at night. tree →
• An armada of little boats rescued the soldiers. tree →
• Queen Elizabeth I gave a famous speech when the Armada came. tree →
• A colourful armada of yachts sailed into the harbour. tree →

Note

Countable. Spanish word for armed fleet. Written with a capital A in the Spanish Armada. Similar: fleet, navy.