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

Explanation

A squad is a group, gang, or team, often made up of soldiers or police officers, but any gang will do. Some people call their group of friends a squad, probably so they seem organized and tough. An army squad might focus on demolition or sharpshooting, while a police squad specializes in one particular type of crime — like a vice squad, battling drugs and illegal gambling, or a riot squad, controlling large groups of protesters. Any team of people is a squad, like a cheerleading squad or a squad of teenage graffiti artists. Squad comes from the Vulgar Latin exquadra, "square," or the shape infantry troops historically assembled in to fight.

Example Sentences

She is one of three left-arm spinners in England's squad alongside Sophie Ecclestone and Linsey Smith, while off-spinner Charlie Dean is named as vice-captain to Nat Sciver-Brunt.

From BBC • Apr. 28, 2026

Only nine years old on the famous day England lifted the 50-over World Cup at Lord's in 2017, she now finds herself thrust into the squad for the next World Cup on home soil.

From BBC • Apr. 28, 2026

For Tilly Corteen-Coleman, it is fitting the phone call confirming her place in England's T20 World Cup squad came while she was walking her dogs.

From BBC • Apr. 28, 2026

A Times investigation published two years after the June 30, 2021, incident in South L.A. identified the six bomb squad officers on the scene that day.

From Los Angeles Times • Apr. 27, 2026

When they announce our squad, Terrell gets the biggest cheer by far, although I get a hearty roar from the Irish section.

From "Boy21" by Matthew Quick

Related Words

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