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

• army
• band
• brigade
• company
• crew
• gang
• outfit
• party
• platoon
• team

Examples of squad in a Sentence

Noun

the cleaning squad usually arrives after regular business hours

Recent Examples on the Web

Noun

At Birmingham, in a cup semi-final against one of League One’s most expensive squads, we’re swept up in the stakes and the occasion. —Katie Whyatt, New York Times, 17 May 2025

The Unified squad, which only plays RSL’s team once per year, is searching for a three-peat in the rivalry. —Braidon Nourse, Denver Post, 16 May 2025

Only three players return from that squad, including Arike Ogunbowale, Teaira McCowan, and Maddy Siegrist. —Kilty Cleary, MSNBC Newsweek, 16 May 2025

Jansen, the towering left-arm paceman and hard-hitting batter, was part of Washington Freedom’s squad in the MLC’s first two seasons and played a key role in their triumph last year. —Tristan Lavalette, Forbes.com, 16 May 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