quad

¹ American  

[kwod] / kwɒd /

noun

Informal.

1. a quadrangle as on a college campus.

   The downpour started before we were halfway across the quad.

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quad ² American  

[kwod] / kwɒd /

noun

1. Also called quadrat.  a piece of type metal of less height than the lettered types, serving to cause a blank in printed matter, used for spacing.

   a wooden box of assorted quads.

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verb (used with object)

quadded, quadding

1. to space out (matter) by means of quads.

   You'll need to quad this column tightly—the editor's letter is running a little long.

quad ³ American  

[kwod] / kwɒd /

noun

Informal.

1. a quadruplet.

   Can you believe how tiny those quads are?

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quad ⁴ American  

[kwod] / kwɒd /

adjective

1. quadraphonic.

   I remember when my quad turntable was the hottest new thing in record players.

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noun

1. quadraphonic sound, or an electronic system for reproducing it.

   The recording sounded best in quad.

quad ⁵ American  

[kwod] / kwɒd /

adjective

1. designating or comprising four persons or things.

   rates for quad occupancy; a quad-level house.

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noun

1. Informal. quadruple occupancy.

   Rates are based on quad.

quad ⁶ American  

[kwod] / kwɒd /

noun

Informal.

1. quadriplegic.

   a special ward for quads.

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quad ⁷ American  

noun

Informal.

1. quadricep.

   Flex the right quad and push your weight toward the right heel.

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quad ⁸ American  

noun

Informal.

1. quadcopter.

   These affordable quads are a boon to both amateur and professional photographers.

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quad. ⁹ American  

abbreviation

1. quadrangle.

2. quadrant.

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quad ¹ British  

/ kwɒd /

adjective

1. short for quadraphonic or quadraphonics See quadraphonic

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noun

1. anatomy short for quadriceps

quad. ² British  

abbreviation

1. quadrangle

2. quadrilateral

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quad ³ British  

/ kwɒd /

noun

1. short for quadrangle

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quad ⁴ British  

/ kwɒd /

noun

1. printing a block of type metal used for spacing

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quad ⁵ British  

/ kwɒd /

noun

1. a variant spelling of quod

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quad ⁶ British  

/ kwɒd /

noun

1. short for quadruplet

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Other Word Forms

• unquadded adjective

Etymology

Origin of quad¹

First recorded in 1810–20; by shortening

Origin of quad²

First recorded in 1875–80; shortening of quadrat

Origin of quad³

First recorded in 1895–1900; by shortening

Origin of quad⁴

First recorded in 1970–75; by shortening

Origin of quad⁵

First recorded in 1880–85; shortening of quadruple or words formed with quadri-

Origin of quad⁶

First recorded in 1970–75; by shortening

Origin of quad⁷

First recorded in 1955–60; by shortening

Origin of quad⁸

First recorded in 2010–15; by shortening

Example Sentences

Skating last after leading the short program, just as he did in Milan, Malinin landed five high-scoring quadruple jumps but not his pioneering quad axel, a jump he didn’t attempt at the Olympics.

From Los Angeles Times • Mar. 28, 2026

After sustaining a foot injury on her balance beam routine during a quad meet on Feb. 27 against Maryland, Ohio State and Iowa, Katelyn Rosen was sidelined for the rest of the competition.

From Los Angeles Times • Mar. 21, 2026

But as my classmates and I hauled boxes across the quad, a storm was brewing.

From The Wall Street Journal • Mar. 9, 2026

But the 18-year-old's medal hopes were all but dashed on her first routine as she attempted a quad toe loop but fell.

From BBC • Feb. 19, 2026

I was cutting across the quad one day and one of the janitors saw me, said, “Hey, you’re that girl who spins on her head!” and I was legitimately freaked out.

From "A Very Large Expanse of Sea" by Tahereh Mafi