What does "squad" mean?
A group of people organized for some common purpose, usually of about ten members.
Squad
/ˈskwɒd/ name, noun, verb, slang
name, noun, verb, slang ·Common ·High school level
Meaning at a glance
- Primary sense: A group of people organized for some common purpose, usually of about ten members.
- Grammar: squad is listed as name, noun, verb, slang.
- Nearest alternatives: team, age group, army, army group.
- Useful contrasts: civilian, disband, disperse.
- Usage evidence: My brother is a member of the rescue squad.
How to use "squad"
- Start with the primary definition, then check the part of speech before placing the word in a sentence.
- Compare nearby synonyms to make sure "squad" carries the exact meaning, tone, and strength you need.
- Use the example sentence as a context check. If your sentence uses the word differently, confirm that the grammar still fits.
Meaning check
- Does the word fit the sentence's grammar?
- Does it match the intended tone rather than only the dictionary definition?
- Would a simpler synonym be clearer for the reader?
- Is there enough surrounding context to prevent ambiguity?
Source and review context
This entry combines structured lexical data with WordToolSet review checks. Definitions, examples, synonyms, and usage notes may come from different source tables, so the page is designed to show evidence from more than one angle before you rely on "squad" in a final draft.
If a word has several senses, prefer the sense that matches your sentence's grammar and surrounding context. A correct definition can still be the wrong choice when the sentence needs a different register, emphasis, or level of specificity.
Before you rely on this definition
Read the first definition as a starting point, then check the example, synonyms, and part of speech before treating "squad" as the right word for your sentence.
If your draft is formal, technical, persuasive, or sensitive, compare "squad" with a nearby alternative so the final choice matches both meaning and reader expectation.
Compare nearby meanings
- Use synonyms when you need a softer, stronger, simpler, or more specific word.
- Use antonyms to check the boundary of the meaning and avoid accidental contrast.
- Use the example sentence to confirm the word behaves naturally in context.
- Keep the original wording when a replacement adds complexity without improving precision.
Definition decision workflow
1. Identify the role
Check whether "squad" is acting as name, noun, verb, slang in your sentence. A definition is only useful when the grammar matches the way the word is being used.
2. Test the nearest option
Compare it with "team" and other nearby choices to see whether the sentence needs a softer, stronger, or more familiar word.
3. Confirm with context
Use the example sentence below as an evidence check, then read your own sentence out loud to catch tone or rhythm problems.
Review note: Definition pages are checked for source coverage, sentence evidence, synonym support, and editorial insight before they are treated as approval-ready pages. If the evidence is too thin, the page remains available to users but is kept out of the approval-facing indexed inventory.
Final meaning check
Before publishing a sentence with "squad", ask whether the word helps the reader understand the idea faster. A precise word should reduce confusion, not simply make the sentence look more polished.
When the definition, synonym evidence, and example context point in the same direction, the word is usually a safer choice. When they conflict, revise the sentence or choose a clearer alternative.
Definitions
Noun
- 1 A group of people organized for some common purpose, usually of about ten members.
"He assembled a squad of ten to take on the assassin."
- 2 Sloppy mud. UK, dialectal
"The lass ran all among the muck and squad."
- 3 a small squad of policemen trained to deal with a particular kind of crime wordnet
- 4 A group of people organized for some common purpose, usually of about ten members.; A unit of tactical military personnel, or of police officers, usually of about ten members.
"A squad of soldiers ordered them to disperse but instead of doing so they commenced throwing ice and rocks."
- 5 a cooperative unit (especially in sports) wordnet
Show 5 more definitions
- 6 A group of people organized for some common purpose, usually of about ten members.; A group of potential players from whom a starting team and substitutes are chosen.
- 7 a smallest army unit wordnet
- 8 A group of people organized for some common purpose, usually of about ten members.; A collective noun for a group of squid. informal
"At one point, the 400-ton Calypso was brought to a standstill by a squad of squid which clogged the engines and caused a power failure. Other, highlights included an attack by predatory blue sharks, […]"
- 9 Ellipsis of squad truck. abbreviation, alt-of, ellipsis
- 10 One's friend group, taken collectively; one's peeps. slang
"anyway, sheʼs resigned herself to hanging out with the squad at uni rather than going manhunting"
Verb
- 1 To act as part of, or on behalf of, a squad. intransitive
"We squad on the fifth of the month."
- 2 To transport by ambulance. US, transitive
Proper Noun
- 1 An informal group of left-wing Democrats in the House of Representatives. US
"Squad members and their allies may also have to contend with pro-Israel Super Pacs and dark-money groups spending tens of millions of dollars on attack ads in a bid to unseat them. […] “A lot of us have seen the headlines that Squad or Squad-adjacent members could be in trouble this cycle,” said Chris Scott, the co-founder and president of the Advance the Electorate political action committee (Ate Pac), which recruits and trains young progressives."
- 2 An informal military alliance between the United States, Japan, Australia, and the Philippines, focused on Asian security matters. informal
- 3 A grouping of the United States, Japan, Australia, and the Philippines. broadly
Synonyms
All synonymsAntonyms
Example
"My brother is a member of the rescue squad."
Common questions
What is a synonym for "squad"?
Common synonyms include: team, age group, army, army group, assemble, band.
How do you use "squad" in a sentence?
My brother is a member of the rescue squad.
How do you pronounce "squad"?
Pronounced /ˈskwɒd/.
Etymology
Etymology 1
From French escouade, from Italian squadra (“square”) (whence also French escadre). Doublet of squadra and square.
Etymology 2
Uncertain. Compare squick (“disgust”), squalid (“dirty”) with similar initial sounds.
Etymology 3
Coined by American politician Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez in 2018.
Etymology 4
Coined by Pentagon officials in reference to the Quad, a similar military alliance.