fleet
FLEET
Fleet (noun) means a group of ships, vehicles, or aircraft operated together, especially under one owner or command. Example: “The company runs a fleet of delivery vans across the city.”
noun
1
A group of ships, vehicles, or aircraft operated together, especially under one owner or command.
"The company runs a fleet of delivery vans across the city."
"The admiral gave the order and the whole fleet set sail at dawn."
"A fleet of fishing boats left the harbour before sunrise."
adj
1
Moving quickly and lightly; swift.
"The fleet messenger raced through the streets and delivered the note in minutes."
"The deer was fleet of foot and vanished into the trees."
"A fleet runner can close a fast break before the defense sets up."
verb
1
To pass by quickly or vanish; to move on rapidly (somewhat old-fashioned usage).
"Childhood days fleet past, and then suddenly you are all grown up."
"The clouds fleet across the sky on a windy afternoon."
"Summer seemed to fleet by before we knew it."
How to use fleet
Learner’s notesIn plain EnglishMost often a group of vehicles or vessels owned/run together (a fleet of taxis); less commonly, an adjective meaning fast and light on your feet.
Common mistake
Don't confuse with "flee" (to run away) — fleet as an adjective describes speed, not escape.
Easily confused with
Common pairings
fleet of ships
fleet of vehicles
fleet management
fleet of foot
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Word forms
- Plural
- fleets
- Third person singular
- fleets
- Past tense
- fleeted
- Comparative
- fleeter, more fleet
- Superlative
- fleetest, most fleet
Fill the gap
Can you complete this real example?
The company runs a _____ of delivery vans across the city.
Etymology
From Old English fleot ("ship, vessel"), related to fleotan ("to float"). The adjective sense ("swift") grew out of the same root, via the idea of gliding smoothly.
Synonyms
View more →Antonyms
Related words
Rhymes for fleet
See all rhymes for fleet →Frequently asked questions
What does “fleet” mean?
The word “fleet” means a group of ships, vehicles, or aircraft operated together, especially under one owner or command. In plain terms, most often a group of vehicles or vessels owned/run together (a fleet of taxis); less commonly, an adjective meaning fast and light on your feet.
How do you pronounce “fleet”?
“Fleet” is pronounced FLEET (/ˈfliːt/ in IPA).
How do you use “fleet” in a sentence?
Here is “fleet” used in a sentence: “The company runs a fleet of delivery vans across the city.”
What part of speech is “fleet”?
Depending on how it is used, “fleet” can be a noun, an adjective and a verb.
Where does the word “fleet” come from?
The word “fleet” comes from Old English. From Old English fleot ("ship, vessel"), related to fleotan ("to float"). The adjective sense ("swift") grew out of the same root, via the idea of gliding smoothly.
Is “fleet” a common word?
“Fleet” is a fairly common word in modern English, usually learned at around the B2 level.
How many meanings does “fleet” have?
“Fleet” has 3 distinct senses listed in this dictionary. The most common is: a group of ships, vehicles, or aircraft operated together, especially under one owner or command.
What is the difference between a 'fleet' and a 'navy'?
A navy is a country's entire armed sea force, while a fleet is a group of ships operating together, often as one part of that navy. A navy can contain several fleets, and 'fleet' also applies to civilian vehicles or aircraft.
What is the difference between a 'fleet' and a 'flotilla'?
A fleet is a large group of ships or vehicles under one command, while a flotilla is a smaller group, often a subdivision of a fleet. Flotillas are typically made up of smaller vessels.
How is 'fleet' used to mean fast?
As an adjective, 'fleet' means moving quickly and lightly, as in 'fleet of foot.' This use is somewhat literary and far less common in everyday speech than the noun meaning of a group of ships.
Can 'fleet' describe cars and planes, not just ships?
Yes. Although 'fleet' often brings ships to mind, it applies to any group of vehicles or aircraft run together under one owner, such as a company's fleet of delivery trucks or an airline's fleet of planes.
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