1
a
: covered with or consisting of scales : scaly
b
: of, relating to, or being a stratified epithelium that consists at least in its outer layers of small scalelike cells
2
: resembling a scale or plate in structure
especially
: of, relating to, or being either the thin anterior upper portion of the temporal bone, the vertical portion of the frontal bone forming the forehead, or the curved expanded portion of the occipital bone behind the foramen magnum
Examples of squamous in a Sentence
a squamous plant bulb
Recent Examples on the Web
Low-grade squamous intraepithelial lesions (LSIL): Typically indicates HPV infection and that more testing is needed.
—
Elizabeth Yuko, Flow Space, 4 Aug. 2025
Other biopsies of squamous skin cancers have not detected HPV, meaning not all cases are caused by the viruses.
—Kaitlin Sullivan, NBC news, 30 July 2025
Cervical dysplasia on a Pap test is a squamous intraepithelial lesion (SIL).
—Ann Pietrangelo, Verywell Health, 6 Sep. 2024
Eligible participants must identify as Black, be assigned female at birth or self-identify as women, not have a history of cancer (except basal or squamous skin cancer) and be between ages 25 and 55.
—Shana O. Ntiri, Baltimore Sun, 21 June 2024
See All Example Sentences for squamous
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Elizabeth Yuko, Flow Space, 4 Aug. 2025
Other biopsies of squamous skin cancers have not detected HPV, meaning not all cases are caused by the viruses.
—Kaitlin Sullivan, NBC news, 30 July 2025
Cervical dysplasia on a Pap test is a squamous intraepithelial lesion (SIL).
—Ann Pietrangelo, Verywell Health, 6 Sep. 2024
Eligible participants must identify as Black, be assigned female at birth or self-identify as women, not have a history of cancer (except basal or squamous skin cancer) and be between ages 25 and 55.
—Shana O. Ntiri, Baltimore Sun, 21 June 2024
See All Example Sentences for squamous
Cite this Entry
“Squamous.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/squamous. Accessed 30 Oct. 2025.
Copy CitationKids Definition
squamous
adjective
squa·mous
ˈskwā-məs 
ˈskwä-
: of, relating to, or being an epithelium that consists at least in its outer layers of small flattened scalelike cells
Medical Definition
squamous
adjective
squa·mous
ˈskwā-məs
1
a
: covered with or consisting of scales
b
: of, relating to, or being a stratified epithelium that consists at least in its outer layers of small scalelike cells
The epidermis is a stratified squamous epithelium forming the barrier that excludes harmful microbes and retains body fluids.—Terry Lechler et al., Nature
Terry Lechler et al., Nature2
: resembling a scale or plate
especially
: of, relating to, or being the thin anterior upper portion of the temporal bone
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