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• square dance
  square dance

  noun

  a dance by a set of four couples arranged in a square or in some set form.
• square-dance
  square-dance

  verb (used without object)

  to perform or participate in a square dance.

square dance

¹ American  

noun

1. a dance by a set of four couples arranged in a square or in some set form.

2. hoedown.

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square-dance ² American  

[skwair-dans, -dahns] / ˈskwɛərˌdæns, -ˌdɑns /

verb (used without object)

square-danced, square-dancing

1. to perform or participate in a square dance.

2. to participate in a hoedown.

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square dance British  

noun

1. any of various formation dances, such as a quadrille, in which the couples form squares

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verb

1. (intr) to perform such a dance

Other Word Forms

Derived Forms

• square dancing
  noun
• square dancer
  noun
• square-dancer
  noun

Etymology

Origin of square dance¹

First recorded in 1865–70

Origin of square-dance²

First recorded in 1955–60

Example Sentences

Then he led a large group in the “casino circle,” a sort of Latin square dance that originated in Havana in the 1950s.

From Los Angeles Times • Apr. 4, 2026

Square dancing: By my count, around 30 states have official dances, and around 25 of those states have chosen square dance, including Washington.

From Seattle Times • May 27, 2022

“That’s an excellent tasting bean,” said Mr. Maiuri, who stopped by the farm on his way to call a square dance.

From New York Times • Dec. 3, 2019

“Will Edwin set up the Empathy tent? How about a volleyball game in the middle of the park and/or a square dance? Will Code Pink pls bring peace symbol cookies to pass out, and daisies.”

From Washington Times • May 3, 2017

It must have looked like we were doing some kind of square dance with me moving around like one foot was nailed to the porch.

From "The Watsons Go to Birmingham" by Christopher Paul Curtis