troop

1 of 2

noun

ˈtrüp 

1

a

: a group of soldiers

b

: a cavalry unit corresponding to an infantry company

c

troops plural : armed forces, soldiers

2

: a collection of people or things : crew sense 2

3

: a flock of mammals or birds

4

: the basic organizational unit of Boy Scouts or Girl Scouts under an adult leader

troop

2 of 2

verb

trooped; trooping; troops

intransitive verb

1

: to move or gather in crowds

2

: to go one's way : walk

3

: to spend time together : associate

4

: to move in large numbers

Synonyms

Noun

• company
• troupe

Examples of troop in a Sentence

Noun

Where is his troop heading?

a plan to withdraw troops

a troop of enthusiastic children

Verb

We all trooped back inside.

The kids trooped off to school.

Recent Examples on the Web

Noun

The helicopter carries up to 11 troops equipped for combat and a crew of four. —Don Sweeney, Miami Herald, 30 Jan. 2025

Japan is a security treaty ally of the U.S., where the Pentagon deploys aircraft, ships, and troops. —Thomas G. Moukawsher, Newsweek, 30 Jan. 2025

Verb

At the Dior men’s wear show on Friday afternoon, models trooped down a celestial flight of stairs, trotted around the perimeter and then descended another flight of stairs, disappearing out of view. —Jacob Gallagher, New York Times, 25 Jan. 2025

Princess Kate tapped author and artist Charlie Mackesy to create an illustration for the booklet, which showed a group of friends trooping through the snow together towards Westminster Abbey with their arms interlinked. —Janine Henni, People.com, 6 Dec. 2024

Word History

Etymology

Noun

Middle French trope, troupe company, herd, of Germanic origin; akin to Old English thorp, throp village — more at thorp

First Known Use

Noun

1545, in the meaning defined at sense 1a

Verb

1565, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Phrases Containing troop

• inter-troop

Kids Definition

troop

1 of 2 noun

ˈtrüp 

1

a

: a group of soldiers

b

plural : armed forces, military

2

: a collection of people or things : company

3

: a flock of mammals or birds

4

: a unit of Boy Scouts or Girl Scouts under an adult leader

troop

2 of 2 verb

: to move or gather in crowds