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troop

n. · v.
US //ˈtɹup// UK //tɹˈuːp// troop
  1. 1 soldiers (n.)
    B2 Upper Intermediate Military

    a group of soldiers or military forces.

    a collective group of soldiers or military personnel, frequently used in the plural to refer to an entire force.

    Example

    The government decided to send more troops to the border to keep the peace.

    Example

    The general ordered the withdrawal of all ground troops from the region following the signing of the peace treaty.

    Usage

    Usually used in the plural when referring to soldiers in general.
  2. 2 military unit (n.)
    C1 Advanced Technical Military

    a small unit of soldiers, especially those in tanks or on horses.

    a specific tactical unit of cavalry or armoured vehicles, typically commanded by a captain.

    Example

    The captain led his troop of tanks across the open field.

    Example

    The cavalry troop was tasked with scouting the perimeter of the enemy camp before the main assault began.
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  1. 3 scouts (n.)
    B1 Intermediate

    a local group of Boy Scouts or Girl Scouts.

    a local unit of a scouting organisation, typically consisting of several smaller patrols.

    Example

    Our scout troop goes camping in the mountains every summer.

    Example

    The local scout troop organised a community clean-up event to raise awareness about environmental conservation.
  2. 4 group of animals (n.)
    C1 Advanced Technical Science

    a group of certain animals, like monkeys or meerkats.

    a collective noun used for a social group of primates or certain other mammals like meerkats.

    Example

    A troop of monkeys moved quickly through the trees looking for fruit.

    Example

    Researchers observed the troop of baboons for several months to understand their complex social hierarchy.
  3. 5 to move together (v.)
    B2 Upper Intermediate

    to walk or move together in a large group.

    to move or march as a collective body, often implying a sense of shared purpose or a casual, crowded manner.

    Example

    After the show ended, the audience trooped out of the theatre into the rain.

    Example

    The children trooped into the cafeteria, their excited chatter echoing off the high ceilings as they waited for lunch.
Origin

Attested in English since 1545, from French troupe, from Back-formation from troupeau, from Middle French trope, troupe, from Old French trope, trupe, of unknown origin. Compare Early Medieval Latin troppus. Doublet of troupe, and possibly also of thorp, dorp, and trip. Cognate with German Dorf (“village”).

Word family

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