squad

American  

[skwod] / skwɒd /

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.

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verb (used with object)

squadded, squadding

1. to form into squads.

2. to assign to a squad.

squad British  

/ 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

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Etymology

Origin of squad

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

Example Sentences

But, in perhaps a hint of things to come, it ended with a squad of French-made Rafale fighter jets zooming overhead.

From Barron's

It culminated with the burning of a replica galley - a Viking long ship - that the main squad had built themselves throughout the year.

From BBC

Just two weeks after a 4-1 Ashes humiliation, the majority of England's squad who dragged themselves to Sri Lanka might not have savoured the prospect of three one-day internationals in challenging conditions.

From BBC

That approach has been driven partly by the desire to rebuild the squad, but also by the need to manage lower revenues that limit spending power under financial regulations through constant player trading.

From BBC

Flanker Ben Curry, who was also set to travel to Girona to continue his recovery from injury, has been sent back to Sale to rehabilitate with Harlequins' Jack Kenningham called up to the squad.

From BBC

Related Words

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