: a type-metal space that is one en or more in width
quadded; quadding
: to fill out (something, such as a typeset line) with blank space
plural quads
1
2
: a ski lift that holds four people
3
: a jump (as in figure skating or skiing) that consists of at least four but less than five revolutions
Last month Leaver announced that Boitano would not try the jump for which he is best known, the quadruple toe loop, at the Olympics. Never performed successfully in competition, the quad has become the slippery grail of skating.—
Jill Smolowe
Jill Smolowe4
or less commonly quad bike
: a four-wheeled all-terrain vehicle
1
: having or composed of four items or elements : quadruple sense 1
The F/A-18 flight-control system … is characterized by quad redundancy, which means that there are essentially four levels of sensing and actuation for each control surface.—McGraw-Hill Yearbook Of Science And Technology
McGraw-Hill Yearbook Of Science And TechnologyQuad skates are roller skates that have four wheels arranged in two rows, while inline skates have them in one line.—Jenee Osterheldt
Jenee Osterheldt2
: quadraphonic
Domestic quad listening needs two additional loudspeakers over stereo, and two more amplifiers, plus the black box which allocates some of the sounds to the rear left/right, and others to the front left/right.—George Steedman
George Steedman
: quadraphonic sound
: a unit of energy equal to one quadrillion British thermal units
plural quads
informal
: the greater extensor muscle of the front of the thigh that is divided into four parts : quadriceps
—usually plural
"Usually after a heptathlon I can tell if I'm not going to do well jumping. My quads get tired."—Jackie Joyner-Kersee
Jackie Joyner-KerseeDick Williams, Seattle manager, on shortstop Spike Owen's injured quads: "I never had any quads when I played."—Sports Illustrated
Sports IllustratedSynonyms
Examples of quad in a Sentence
Recent Examples on the WebNollyanne Delacruz, The Mercury News, 8 Apr. 2024
In the central quad, there were new sand dunes shaped by bulldozers.
—Lorenzo Tugnoli, Washington Post, 1 Apr. 2024
On Wednesday night against the Houston Rockets, Gilgeous-Alexander was officially sidelined with this quad injury.
—Nick Crain, Forbes, 28 Mar. 2024
To me, Black Twitter is the hang out in the quad in college or the stoop in your neighborhood.
—Abbey White, The Hollywood Reporter, 8 Mar. 2024
The running back with the legendary quads has been a popular fixture on the Packers the past four seasons.
—Journal Sentinel, 27 Jan. 2024
Malinin, meanwhile, successfully completed a quad Axel and five other quadruple jumps on Saturday.
—Natasha Dye, Peoplemag, 26 Mar. 2024
Step forward about two feet with your right foot, and rest your right hand on your right quad.
—Jenny McCoy, SELF, 17 Jan. 2024
The Ravens were without starting right guard Kevin Zeitler (knee/quad/coach’s decision), who has played well most of the year.
—Mike Preston, Baltimore Sun, 7 Jan. 2024
Christa Sgobba, SELF, 2 Apr. 2024
Noun
They will be set up on the plaza at the main entrance to Thornton Hall and one in the quad near Cesar Chavez Student Center.
—Nollyanne Delacruz, The Mercury News, 8 Apr. 2024
In the central quad, there were new sand dunes shaped by bulldozers.
—Lorenzo Tugnoli, Washington Post, 1 Apr. 2024
On Wednesday night against the Houston Rockets, Gilgeous-Alexander was officially sidelined with this quad injury.
—Nick Crain, Forbes, 28 Mar. 2024
To me, Black Twitter is the hang out in the quad in college or the stoop in your neighborhood.
—Abbey White, The Hollywood Reporter, 8 Mar. 2024
The running back with the legendary quads has been a popular fixture on the Packers the past four seasons.
—Journal Sentinel, 27 Jan. 2024
Malinin, meanwhile, successfully completed a quad Axel and five other quadruple jumps on Saturday.
—Natasha Dye, Peoplemag, 26 Mar. 2024
Step forward about two feet with your right foot, and rest your right hand on your right quad.
—Jenny McCoy, SELF, 17 Jan. 2024
The Ravens were without starting right guard Kevin Zeitler (knee/quad/coach’s decision), who has played well most of the year.
—Mike Preston, Baltimore Sun, 7 Jan. 2024
Verb
Keep your core, butt, and quads tight, and avoid arching your back.
—Christa Sgobba, SELF, 2 Apr. 2024
These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'quad.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.
Dictionary Entries Near quad
Cite this Entry
“Quad.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/quad. Accessed 19 Apr. 2024.
Copy CitationMedical Definition
quad
noun
: quadriceps
—usually used in plural
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