troop definition - Dictionary

Dictionary

troop [ troop ]

noun (plural troops)

Definition:

1. big group: a large group of similar people, animals, or things

2. military military unit: a unit of soldiers that forms a subdivision of a cavalry or armored cavalry squadron ( often used before a noun )

troop movements in the area

3. youth org Scouting unit: a unit of Girl Scouts or Boy Scouts under an adult leader, usually subdivided into several patrols

4. zoology collective name for some animals: a collective name for some animals, especially monkeys and kangaroos

plural noun troops

Definition:

1. military military group: a body of soldiers

Order was restored by flooding the area with troops.

2. large number of people or things: a large number of people or things

intransitive verb (past and past participle trooped, present participle troop·ing, 3rd person present singular troops)

Definition:

1. go as large orderly group: to move or gather together as a large orderly group

2. go as if marching: to walk somewhere in a deliberate or heavy-footed way, as if marching

After breakfast the family trooped off to the nearby mall.

[Mid-16th century. < French troupe]

Word Usage


	troop or troupe? Both these words can be used as nouns denoting a group of people. Troop is more general, being applied to any large group, and specifically to a military unit. Troupe is applied only to a group of actors, circus people, or other entertainers. The verb meaning "to move or gather together as a large orderly group" is spelled troop, not troupe: The reporters trooped in to speak to the President.