naval unit
1
4.2
- noun
- /ˈneɪvəl ˈjuːnɪt/
:
unidad naval
- Naval units are conducting a sea, air, and land search for the 12 missing rafters.
- 36 naval units
- major naval units
Examples
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It appears that Roman naval units patrolled these waters to guard merchant fleets on their treacherous voyages and to launch reprisals against pirate raiders.
Academic text (2010) -
When I settle down, I'll send word to all naval units.
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We interrupt this programme to give you a bulletin from a naval unit at sea.
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As a result, the PLA could suffer possibly heavy losses of aircraft and naval units.
Academic text (1997) -
The naval unit was responsible for patrolling the waters and ensuring maritime security.
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During the exercise, various naval units from allied nations conducted joint operations.
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The fleet's naval unit was equipped with advanced technology to navigate combat scenarios.
Synonyms
347
5.1
A large unit in the army, air force or navy
14
7.3
A group of small boats that work together
8
6.3
A group of navy ships sent from the fleet for a mission
2
5.0
A group of military ships organized to fight together
A group of similar warships that form a unit in a navy
How Big
Surface Forms
Morphology
The meaning 'a military unit that forms part of a navy' is directly and compositionally derivable from 'naval' (related to the navy) modifying 'unit' (a group or section). This adjective+noun pattern is common cross-linguistically and follows standard English composition, so a B1 learner who knows both constituents should understand it.
Etymology
Naval unit comes from a simple picture: naval means 'of the navy' and unit means 'one team or part'. Imagine a group of ships sailing together as one team; that's why the phrase is used for a single ship, squadron, or fleet that is a 'part of a navy' today.