Definition of squat
squatted
;squatting
transitive verb
1 : to cause (oneself) to crouch or sit on the ground
2 : to occupy as a squatter squat in an abandoned building
intransitive verb
1 : to crouch close to the ground as if to escape observation a hare squatting in the grass
2a : to assume or maintain a position in which the body is supported on the feet and the knees are bent so that the buttocks rest on or near the heels squatted by the campfireb : to exercise by performing a squat (see 3squat 3a)
3 : to be or become a squatter
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Examples of squat in a Sentence
He squatted behind the bush to avoid being seen.
A family has been squatting in that house for months.
Origin and Etymology of squat
Middle English squatten to crush, crouch in hiding, from Middle French (Picard dialect) esquatir, escuater, from Old French es- ex- + quatir to hide, from Vulgar Latin *coactire to squeeze, alteration of Latin coactare to compel — more at cache
squat
Definition of squat
squatter
;squattest
1 : sitting with the haunches close above the heels
2a : low to the groundb : marked by disproportionate shortness or thickness
squatly
adverbsquatness
nounFirst Known Use of squat
15th century
squat
Definition of squat
2a : a place where one squatsb : the lair of a small animal the squat of a hare
3a : an exercise in which a standing person lowers to a position in which the torso is erect and the knees are deeply bent and then rises to an upright position ◆A squat can be done while holding weights, with a barbell on the upper back, or without weights. b weightlifting : a lift involving a squat done while holding a barbell on the shoulders; also : a competitive event involving this lift
4 chiefly British : an empty house or building that is occupied by squatters
5 slang : diddly-squat
Examples of squat in a Sentence
He didn't do squat all day.
She lives in a squat.
First Known Use of squat
1580
SQUAT Defined for English Language Learners
squat
playDefinition of squat for English Language Learners
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: to bend your knees and lower your body so that you are close to your heels or sitting on your heels
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: to live in a building or on land without the owner's permission and without paying
squat
Definition of squat for English Language Learners
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: short and thick
squat
Definition of squat for English Language Learners
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: a position in which your knees are bent and your body lowered so that you are close to your heels or sitting on your heels
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: the least amount : anything at all
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: an empty building that squatters live in
SQUAT Defined for Kids
Definition of squat for Students
squatted
;squatting
1 : to crouch by bending the knees fully so as to sit on or close to the heels
2 : to settle without any right on land that someone else owns
3 : to settle on government land in order to become its owner
Definition of squat for Students
squatter
;squattest
1 : low to the ground
2 : having a short thick body
Definition of squat for Students
: a position in which the knees are fully bent and the body sits on or close to the heels
Learn More about squat
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See words that rhyme with squat Thesaurus: All synonyms and antonyms for squat Spanish Central: Translation of squat Nglish: Translation of squat for Spanish speakers Britannica English: Translation of squat for Arabic speakers Britannica.com: Encyclopedia article about squat
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