plural squid or squids
: any of an order (Teuthoidea) of cephalopods having eight short arms and two usually longer tentacles, a long tapered body, a caudal fin on each side, and usually a slender internal chitinous support

squid

2 of 3

verb

squidded; squidding

intransitive verb

: to fish with or for squid
: an instrument for detecting and measuring very weak magnetic fields

Examples of squid in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
Noun
The shark can extend its jaw all the way down its snout to help catch fish, squids and crustaceans. Greta Cross, USA Today, 12 June 2026 If Goldman Sachs is the vampire squid, what does that make SpaceX and Musk? Charlie Warzel, The Atlantic, 20 June 2026
Noun
Tender Rhode Island squid rings came with sunchokes and Spanish gordal olives. John Mariani, Forbes.com, 26 Aug. 2025 According to county documents, an inspector found employees putting on gloves without washing hands and raw squid stored behind ready-to-eat foods. Evan Moore august 4, Charlotte Observer, 4 Aug. 2025 See All Example Sentences for squid

Word History

Etymology

Noun (1)

origin unknown

Noun (2)

superconducting quantum interference device

First Known Use

Noun (1)

1613, in the meaning defined above

Verb

circa 1859, in the meaning defined above

Noun (2)

1967, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of squid was in 1613

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Cite this Entry

“Squid.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/squid. Accessed 7 Jul. 2026.

Kids Definition

squid

noun
ˈskwid
plural squid or squids
: any of numerous sea mollusks that are cephalopods and have eight short arms and two usually longer tentacles, a long thin body with a fin on each side, and a slender internal shell

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