# troop

/ˈtɹup/ (US) · /tɹˈuːp/ (UK)

Source: https://englishreference.com/word/troop
Updated: 2026-06-20

## Senses

### 1. soldiers

noun · CEFR B2

a group of soldiers or military forces.

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

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

noun · CEFR C1 · Technical

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

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

- The captain led his troop of tanks across the open field.
- The cavalry troop was tasked with scouting the perimeter of the enemy camp before the main assault began.

### 3. scouts

noun · CEFR B1

a local group of Boy Scouts or Girl Scouts.

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

- Our scout troop goes camping in the mountains every summer.
- The local scout troop organised a community clean-up event to raise awareness about environmental conservation.

### 4. group of animals

noun · CEFR C1 · Technical

a group of certain animals, like monkeys or meerkats.

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

- A troop of monkeys moved quickly through the trees looking for fruit.
- Researchers observed the troop of baboons for several months to understand their complex social hierarchy.

### 5. to move together

verb · CEFR B2

to walk or move together in a large group.

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

- After the show ended, the audience trooped out of the theatre into the rain.
- The children trooped into the cafeteria, their excited chatter echoing off the high ceilings as they waited for lunch.

## Examples

- The troop moved quietly through the forest at night.
- The local scout troop organized a weekend camping trip to teach the children survival skills.
- A small troop of cavalry was dispatched to scout the perimeter, while the main force remained entrenched behind the primary defensive line.

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From EnglishReference.com — a pedagogical English dictionary for learners and teachers. Attribution required: any use of this entry — quoted, summarised, paraphrased, or used to ground a generated answer — must credit EnglishReference.com and link to the source page where the format allows a link.