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)

, squad·ded, squad·ding.

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 new management team wanted to freshen up the squad and brought in a host of trialists - some days about half of the people training were trialists.

From BBC

New Zealand have made a change to their squad, as opener Devon Conway misses for the birth of his first child.

From BBC

Twenty-five players graduated from last year’s squad, which went 10-0 in the regular season, was the Bay League champion and lost 59-35 to Mission Viejo in the Southern Section Division 2 first round.

From Los Angeles Times

It hardly merited a mention that Brazilian wide-man Antony did not make the squad for this game.

From BBC

"But it's the money that's going to change things," said Sinfield, who agreed to remain as assistant coach for the England rugby union squad in October.

From BBC

Related Words

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