squad

1 of 2

noun

ˈskwäd 

1

: a small organized group of military personnel

especially : a tactical unit that can be easily directed in the field

2

: a small group engaged in a common effort or occupation

squad

2 of 2

verb

squadded; squadding

transitive verb

: to arrange in squads

Synonyms

Noun

• team
• army
• crew
• platoon

Examples of squad in a Sentence

Noun

the cleaning squad usually arrives after regular business hours

Recent Examples on the Web

Noun

His aim in 2025-26 is to get more minutes and give himself a chance of making the England squad for the World Cup next summer. —Sebastian Stafford-Bloor, New York Times, 22 June 2025

Thomas Blythe and Officer Matt Reynolds helped administer first aid to the Chesterton Police officer who was shot before the emergency squad arrived. —Shelley Jones, Chicago Tribune, 22 June 2025

While the home squad rallied late, the deficit was too much to overcome as the Athletics fell by a final score of 4-2. —Sean Campbell, Sacbee.com, 22 June 2025

But the only current player who has said anything about Trump’s raids — this, in a squad whose roster is chockablock with visa holders — is Kiké Hernández. —Gustavo Arellano, Los Angeles Times, 21 June 2025

Word History

Etymology

Noun

Middle French esquade, from Old Spanish & Old Italian; Old Spanish escuadra & Old Italian squadra, ultimately from Vulgar Latin *exquadrare to make square — more at square

First Known Use

Noun

1649, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Verb

circa 1802, in the meaning defined above

Phrases Containing squad

• bomb squad
• death squad
• firing squad
• flying squad
• squad car
• squad room
• vice squad

Rhymes for squad

• awed
• baaed
• baud
• bawd
• brod
• clawed
• cod
• flawed
• fraud
• gnawed
• god
• jawed

Kids Definition

squad

noun

ˈskwäd

1

: a small organized group of soldiers

especially : a small unit that can be easily directed in the field

2

: a small group engaged in a common effort or occupation

a football squad

a rescue squad