squad

[skwod]

noun

1. a small number of soldiers, commonly 10 privates, a staff sergeant, and a corporal; the smallest military unit.

2. a group of police officers, especially one organized to deal with a particular area of law enforcement.

   drug squad; fraud squad.

3. any small group or party of persons engaged in a common enterprise.

4. a sports team or a group of players from which a team is selected.

5. Slang.,  a group of friends.

verb (used with object)

squadded, squadding 

1. to form into squads.

2. to assign to a squad.

squad

/ skwɒd /

noun

1. the smallest military formation, typically comprising a dozen soldiers, used esp as a drill formation

2. any small group of people engaged in a common pursuit

3. sport a number of players from which a team is to be selected

Word History and Origins

Origin of squad¹

1640–50; < French esquade, alteration of esquadre < Spanish escuadra square; so called from square shape of the formation

Word History and Origins

Origin of squad¹

C17: from Old French esquade, from Old Spanish escuadra, from escuadrar to _square , from the square formations used

Example Sentences

The Seagulls have got plenty of firepower and a strong squad so, on that basis, I am going to back them.

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All of the England squad except for Wood took part in England's first training session under lights at the Gabba on Monday.

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Instead, their aim is probably the Champions League places which is something they should have enough for with the ability in their squad.

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"The new manager has got to get himself together and stamp his own personality on the team and prepare himself for January to try to enhance the squad."

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Mount was helped by the general tiredness of Palace, something manager Oliver Glasner criticised the club for not dealing with when it came to recruiting his squad last summer.

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Related Words

• band 
• battalion 
• division 
• force 
• gang 
• group 
• squadron 
• troop