squire

American  

[skwahy^uhr] / skwaɪər /

noun

1. (in England) a country gentleman, especially the chief landed proprietor in a district.

2. (in the Middle Ages) a young man of noble birth who as an aspirant to knighthood served a knight.

3. a personal attendant, as of a person of rank.

4. a man who accompanies or escorts a woman.

5. a title applied to a justice of the peace, local judge, or other local dignitary of a rural district or small town.

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verb (used with object)

squired, squiring

1. to attend as, or in the manner of, a squire.

2. to escort (a woman), as to a dance or social gathering.

squire British  

/ skwaɪə /

noun

1. a country gentleman in England, esp the main landowner in a rural community

2. feudal history a young man of noble birth, who attended upon a knight

3. rare a man who courts or escorts a woman

4. informal a term of address used by one man to another, esp, unless ironic, to a member of a higher social class

5. an immature snapper See snapper

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verb

1. (tr) (of a man) to escort (a woman)

Other Word Forms

• squireless
  adjective
• squirelike
  adjective
• unsquired
  adjective

Etymology

Origin of squire

1250–1300; Middle English squier; aphetic variant of esquire

Explanation

Squire is a British term for a country landowner or gentleman. You can use squire to describe a refined and powerful man, or as a verb meaning to escort: when the queen visited, the police chief squired her around town. You'll encounter squires in 19th-century English novels, and you'll need to understand who they are if you're going to get the subtle class distinctions that often drive the plots of these novels. During feudal times squires were young men who assisted knights. For their loyalty, they were given land, making them and their descendants rich and powerful. If you had land, you could live off the rent your tenant farmers paid, and you’d be free to be a gentleman.

Example Sentences

Martin’s novella series “Tales of Dunk and Egg,” stars Peter Claffey as a wandering knight and Dexter Sol Ansell as his squire, who is secretly a Targaryen prince.

From The Wall Street Journal • Jan. 18, 2026

It follows the adventures of Ser Duncan the Tall, and his squire, Egg.

From BBC • Dec. 28, 2025

Lorré, 28, is known as an ‘ecuyères’ — the French word for squire or horse rider, and has a vast knowledge of the royal stables’ history.

From Seattle Times • Apr. 29, 2024

But despite being taken in by a kind squire growing up, Tom was never treated with any respect because of his illegitimate status.

From Salon • Apr. 30, 2023

"On your knees for the Lord of the Dreadfort!" shouted his squire, a boy no older than Arya, and Harrenhal knelt.

From "A Clash of Kings" by George R.R. Martin

Related Words

• attendant