squad

[ skwod ]

noun

1. a small number of soldiers, commonly 10 privates, a staff sergeant, and a corporal; the smallest military unit.
2. a group of police officers, especially one organized to deal with a particular area of law enforcement:

   drug squad; fraud squad.

3. any small group or party of persons engaged in a common enterprise.
4. a sports team or a group of players from which a team is selected.
5. Slang. a group of friends.

verb (used with object)

, squad·ded, squad·ding.

1. to form into squads.
2. to assign to a squad.

squad

/ skwɒd /

noun

1. the smallest military formation, typically comprising a dozen soldiers, used esp as a drill formation
2. any small group of people engaged in a common pursuit
3. sport a number of players from which a team is to be selected

Word History and Origins

Origin of squad¹

1640–50; < French esquade, alteration of esquadre < Spanish escuadra square; so called from square shape of the formation

Word History and Origins

Origin of squad¹

C17: from Old French esquade, from Old Spanish escuadra, from escuadrar to square , from the square formations used

Example Sentences

There are 16 World Cup winners in the South Africa squad.

From BBC

Racing 92 lock Rowlands, 33, outlined the passion within the Wales squad to turn things around.

From BBC

Matheus Cunha has started scoring and, when I look at their squad, I do think they are good enough to stay up.

From BBC

Rocky Flintoff, in the Young Lions squad, chats to his dad.

From BBC

A day after the Cleveland Browns signed offensive lineman Geron Christian off the Rams practice squad, the Rams opened the 21-day window for rookie offensive lineman KT Leveston to return to practice from injured reserve.

From Los Angeles Times

Related Words

• band
• battalion
• division
• force
• gang
• group
• squadron
• troop