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

She plays point guard on the basketball team, catcher and shortstop on the softball team and Wednesday afternoon she quarterbacked the school’s first flag football squad into the City Open Division championship game.

From Los Angeles Times

At the age of 35 he was shot by a firing squad in January 1961, with the tacit backing of Belgium.

From BBC

The bomb squad was called out after reports of a suspicious package at Scotland's busiest bus station at about 13:10.

From BBC

However, he might only get his full squad together two days before his first game because of players being around the world for international games.

From BBC

Tortured and accused of bizarre espionage plots, he was ultimately executed by firing squad.

From Salon

Related Words

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