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

Explanation

A quad is a rectangular shaped area, especially on a university campus, that's enclosed by buildings. Your college friend might tell you to meet her in the quad after lunch. Quad is an abbreviation, most commonly short for quadrangle, a kind of four-sided courtyard usually defined by a large lawn and surrounded by buildings. Another kind of quad — also an abbreviation — is the large muscle in the top of your thigh, more formally known as a quadriceps muscle. Quadrangle and its nickname, quad, were 1800's Oxford slang, from the Latin root quadri, or "four."

Example Sentences

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

From The Wall Street Journal • Mar. 9, 2026

On Friday, the Bruins will host No. 18 Iowa, No. 19 Ohio State and No. 25 Maryland, their toughest competition since their last quad meet, where they placed third behind Oklahoma and Louisiana State.

From Los Angeles Times • Feb. 26, 2026

He stepped out of two other quad jumps and tripped up on a step sequence.

From Barron's • Feb. 14, 2026

And, going for a quad lutz, he fell to the ice in a moment that made the Olympics stop.

From BBC • Feb. 13, 2026

I was sitting under my tree at lunch, reading a book, when a group of girls shouted at me, from across the quad, to come sit with them.

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