squamous

adjective

squa·​mous ˈskwā-məs 

also ˈskwä-

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

Synonyms of squamous

• scaled
• scaly

Examples of squamous in a Sentence

a squamous plant bulb

Recent Examples on the Web

Summit plans to report progression-free survival results from squamous patients in the global Harmoni-3 trial in the second half of this year. —Angelica Peebles, CNBC, 31 May 2026

The results from the trial conducted in China showed the drug, when combined with chemotherapy, kept people with squamous non-small-cell lung cancer alive for a median of four months longer than the standard treatment, though scientists are debating the findings. —J.d. Capelouto, semafor.com, 31 May 2026

Then, in December 2025, Coulier revealed he had been recently diagnosed with p16 squamous carcinoma, a type of head and neck cancer found at the base of his tongue. —Charmaine Patterson, PEOPLE, 8 May 2026

Coulier announced he was diagnosed with stage 3 non-Hodgkin lymphoma in Nov. 2024, later revealing in December that he had been diagnosed with p16 squamous carcinoma at the base of his tongue. —Mckinley Franklin, HollywoodReporter, 8 May 2026

Word History

Etymology

Middle English, from Latin squamosus, from squama scale

First Known Use

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

Phrases Containing squamous

• squamous cell
• squamous cell carcinoma

Rhymes for squamous

• lummis
• pumice
• strumous

Kids 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

2

: resembling a scale or plate

especially : of, relating to, or being the thin anterior upper portion of the temporal bone