starfleet n.

an organized group of starships, esp. one under military control; a division of a military responsible for interstellar activities

  • 1939 ‘L. del Rey’ Luck of Ignatz in Astounding Science-Fiction (UK ed.) 4/2 page image Lester del Rey bibliography

    The luckiest man in the star fleet, the Master had been head tester for the new rocket models until the O.M. decided he needed a rest and sent him to Venus.

  • 1968 S. E. Whitfield in S. E. Whitfield & G. Roddenberry Making of ‘Star Trek’ ii. ii. 173 bibliography

    It contains…complete information on nearly all personnel in the Starfleet.

  • 1972 U. K. Le Guin The Word for World is Forest in H. Ellison Again, Dangerous Visions 64 Ursula K. Le Guin

    A Starfleet ship’s commander bootlicking two humanoids.

  • 1982 J. Yolen Command Toad and Planet of Grapes 14

    She wipes her nose with a regulation starfleet nose-kerchief and prepares to leap from the skimmer.

  • 1989 D. Dvorkin & D. Dvorkin Star Trek: Next Generation: Captains' Honor i. 33 David Dvorkin Daniel Dvorkin bibliography

    These aren’t members of Starfleet. They're civilian employees.

  • 1995 D. W. Smith & K. K. Rusch Star Trek Voyager: Escape xxiv. 240 Dean Wesley Smith Kristine Kathryn Rusch bibliography

    Torres recognized her own about-face. ‘Believe me, Captain, after this experience, Starfleet looks almost good to me.’

  • 1996 L. E. Modesitt, Jr. Adiamante 63 L. E. Modesitt, Jr.

    Control had once been the central operations focus for the starfleets of the Rebuilt Hegemony, and had hummed with activity.

  • 1997 W. Barton & M. Capobianco Alpha Centauri 153

    It may be ICOPOSI will whip up its own starfleet.

  • 1997 W. Shatner Avenger i. 6 William Shatner

    His father’s leave from Starfleet had been canceled.

  • 1997 P. L. Pereira Eagles of New Dawn 205

    The intergalactic starfleet comprises a body of integrated Souls of multisystem origin.

  • 1998 J. May Perseus Spar 238

    By now the data been transmitted to Elgar’s superiors at Galapharma—and to the Haluk Starfleet.

Research requirements

antedating 1939
Earliest cite

Lester del Rey, "The Luck of Ignatz"
Research History
Jeff Prucher submitted a 1972 cite from Ursula Le Guin's "The Word for World is Forest".
Michael Dolbear submitted a cite from a 1998 reprint of L. E. Modesitt Jr's 1996 "Adiamante".
Michael Dolbear subitted a cite from a 1998 reprint of William Barton and Michael Capobianco's 1997 "Alpha Centauri".
Michael Dolbear subitted a cite from a 1996 reprint of Jane Yolen's 19982 "Commander Toad and the Planet of the Grapes".
Michael Dolbear submitted a 1997 cite from Patricia L. Pereira's "Eagles of the New Dawn".
Michael Dolbear submitted a 1999 cite from Julian May's "Perseus Spur".
Fred Galvin submitted a cite from a 1959 reprint of Lester del Rey's "The Luck of Ignatz": Mike Christie verified it in its original publication (Astounding Science Fiction, August 1939)

Not yet in the OED
Vaughn Shultz confirms Aug. 1939 Astounding Science-Fiction UK ed. Corresponding citation in US ed. is 10/2.
Earliest cite in Brave new words: 1968

Last modified 2020-12-16 04:08:47
In the compilation of some entries, HDSF has drawn extensively on corresponding entries in OED.