squad

[skwod]

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.

verb (used with object)

squadded, squadding 

1. to form into squads.

2. to assign to a squad.

squad

/ 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

Word History and Origins

Origin of squad¹

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

Word History and Origins

Origin of squad¹

C17: from Old French esquade, from Old Spanish escuadra, from escuadrar to _square , from the square formations used

Example Sentences

Candy was a star on the football squad and the drama club before “SCTV” and “Planes, Trains and Automobiles” made him famous worldwide.

From Los Angeles Times

We wanted to get him around the group and he'll be a part of the squads moving forward.

From BBC

Nicknamed the 'bomb squad' - Erasmus regularly fills his bench with six, sometimes even seven forwards to come on at the same time early in the second half to grind a team down.

From BBC

Now, under the ownership of The Friedkin Group, they have been able to invest in the squad to push on and Vignola looks the pick of the bunch.

From BBC

Sing is probably the best kicker in the Red Roses squad, striking the ball prodigous distances, and is a rangy runner with a powerful hand-off.

From BBC

Related Words

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