pelotones

Pelotones is the plural of pelotón, a Spanish term that covers several related but distinct meanings. In military usage, pelotón refers to a platoon, a subdivision of a company and a basic unit of infantry or cavalry. A pelotón typically numbers roughly 20 to 50 soldiers, depending on the country and branch, and is usually commanded by a lieutenant or a senior noncommissioned officer. It is often divided into several squads or sections, each led by a noncommissioned officer, and functions as a coordinating element within the larger unit.

In sports, especially professional road cycling, the pelotón is the main group of riders in a race. Riding in the pelotón reduces aerodynamic drag and saves energy, a factor critical in long stages. Throughout a race the pelotón can contract or fragment as teams pursue breakaways, respond to climbs, or position sprinters for a final dash to the line.

The term also appears in broader military-adjacent phrases, such as pelotón de fusilamiento, the firing squad unit historically tasked with executions. Although contexts vary, the common thread is a grouped body of people acting as a unit.

Etymology and usage: pelotón derives from pelota, ball, with the augmentative suffix -ón, reflecting an image of a compact, rolling group. In modern Spanish, pelotón is used both in military and colloquial contexts, with the cycling sense widely recognized in international sport discourse.

See also: platoon, peloton (cycling)