A fleet of the British Navy detailed to home defence, especially in the English Channel (now historical); (also) (with lower-case initials) any fleet operating in the waters of its own country.
Origin
Early 18th century.
Definition of Home Fleet in US English:
Home Fleet
noun
A fleet of the British Navy detailed to home defence, especially in the English Channel (now historical); (also) (with lower-case initials) any fleet operating in the waters of its own country.