fleet
- 01 B2 Upper Intermediate
n.a large group of ships, airplanes, or cars that are controlled by one organization or country.
n.a number of vessels, aircraft, or vehicles operating together or under the same ownership.
Simple“The company owns a large fleet of delivery trucks that operate across the country.”
In context“The naval fleet remained stationed in the international waters, serving as a strategic deterrent during the diplomatic negotiations.”
- 02 C1 Advanced
adj.moving very quickly and lightly.
adj.characterised by rapid and light movement; often used in literary contexts to describe animals or runners.
Simple“The fleet deer disappeared into the thick forest before the hikers could take a photo.”
In context“The athlete was known for being fleet of foot, easily outpacing his rivals in the final hundred metres of the race.”
- 03 C2 Proficiency
v.to move fast or to disappear quickly, like time passing by.
v.to move or pass swiftly; to fade or vanish rapidly.
Simple“The beautiful summer days seemed to fleet away too soon.”
In context“Youthful beauty is a fleeting thing, destined to fleet as the decades advance.”
- 04 C2 Proficiency
n.a small stream or a narrow arm of the sea.
n.a shallow inlet, creek, or stream, particularly one subject to tidal influence.
Simple“The old village was built right next to a tidal fleet.”
In context“The River Fleet, once a major waterway in London, now flows through a series of underground tunnels beneath the city streets.”
UsageCommon in British place names, such as Fleet Street in London.
“A fleet of small boats evacuated about 500 tourists from beaches in northern Greece as a forest fire threatened two popular resorts on Thursday.”
“In total, 13 of the 57 reactors in EDF’s nuclear fleet were affected.”
From fleet (“stream, estuary”).
Etymology adapted from Wiktionary, available under CC BY-SA 4.0.