squat

1 of 3

verb

ˈskwät 

squatted; squatting

transitive verb

1

: to cause (oneself) to crouch or sit on the ground

2

: to occupy as a squatter

intransitive verb

1

: to crouch close to the ground as if to escape observation

a hare squatting in the grass

2

a

: 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 campfire

b

: to exercise by performing a squat (see squat entry 3 sense 3a)

3

: to be or become a squatter

squat in an abandoned building

squat

2 of 3

adjective

squatter; squattest

1

: sitting with the haunches close above the heels

2

a

: low to the ground

squat bushes

b

: marked by disproportionate shortness or thickness

a squat building

squatly adverb

squatness noun

squat

3 of 3

noun

1

a

: the act of squatting

b

: the posture of one that squats

2

a

: a place where one squats

b

: the lair of a small animal

the squat of a hare

3

a

: 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

Note: A squat can be done while holding weights, with a barbell on the upper back, or without weights.

b

weight lifting : 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

Synonyms of squat

Verb

• crouch

Adjective

• stout
• squatty
• plump
• sturdy
• stocky
• stumpy

Noun

• damn
• lick
• whit
• hoot
• shred

Examples of squat in a Sentence

Verb

He squatted behind the bush to avoid being seen.

A family has been squatting in that house for months.

Adjective

a short, squat woman

Noun

He didn't do squat all day.

She lives in a squat.

Recent Examples on the Web

Verb

Kay squatted by a monitor, bobbing his head to the beat. —Rebecca Mead, New Yorker, 8 Dec. 2025

Mark Lamoreaux, the University of San Diego’s director of athletic performance, said the football team’s goal is for players to squat two times their body weight and bench press 1½ times their weight. —Don Norcross, San Diego Union-Tribune, 4 Dec. 2025

Adjective

With plush fleece lining, stretchy fabric that the brand promises is squat-proof, and a high waist, these ones are an easy addition to my winter wardrobe. —Jamie Allison Sanders, PEOPLE, 12 Dec. 2025

Bosphorus is that sort of place, a charming Turkish café nestled in a squat maroon house whose walls drip with rugs, photos and assorted trinkets. —Bradley Hohulin, IndyStar, 5 Dec. 2025

Noun

Strength training exercises like squats, heel raises, and bicep curls can help older adults maintain muscle. —Rikkilynn Shields Hannigan, Health, 11 Dec. 2025

Examples include air squats, step-ups, push-ups, and dips. —Jenny McCoy, SELF, 8 Dec. 2025

Word History

Etymology

Verb

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

First Known Use

Verb

15th century, in the meaning defined at transitive sense 1

Adjective

15th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Noun

1580, in the meaning defined at sense 1a

Phrases Containing squat

• diddly-squat
• doodley-squat
• doodly-squat

Rhymes for squat

• aught
• baht
• blot
• bott
• bought
• brought
• caught
• clot
• cot
• cott
• dot
• fought

Kids Definition

squat

1 of 3 verb

ˈskwät 

squatted; squatting

1

: to sit or cause (oneself) to sit on one's heels

2

: to occupy land as a squatter

3

: to crouch close to the ground

a hare squatting in the grass

squat

2 of 3 noun

1

: the act of squatting

2

: a squatting posture

squat

3 of 3 adjective

squatter; squattest

1

: being in a squatting posture

2

: low to the ground

3

: being short and thick

squatly adverb

squatness noun