Squad: meaning, definitions and examples

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squad

[ skwɒd ]

Noun

^{Context #1 | Noun}

teamwork

A small group of people working together as a unit, typically in a military or police context. Squads are often assigned specific tasks or missions and must cooperate to achieve their objectives. The concept of a squad emphasizes the importance of teamwork and unity.

Synonyms

group, team, unit.

Which Synonym Should You Choose?

Word	Description / Examples
squad	Use when referring to a small, specialized group, often in a military or sports context. The sergeant barked orders to his squad The soccer squad celebrated their victory
team	Use when referring to people working together towards a common goal, often in sports or professional settings. The team worked late into the night to finish the project Her basketball team won the championship
unit	Use in formal or organizational settings, often referring to a single group within a larger organization. The medical unit responded quickly to the emergency The research unit published their findings
group	Use when referring to a collection of people or things gathered together, general term without specific connotations. She joined a study group at the library A group of tourists visited the museum

Examples of usage

The SWAT team quickly assembled a squad to respond to the hostage situation.
The football coach divided the players into squads for a scrimmage.

^{Context #2 | Noun}

sports

In sports, a squad refers to the group of players on a team who are available for selection for a particular game or match. Coaches often have to make tough decisions about which players to include in the squad based on factors like fitness, form, and tactics.

Synonyms

lineup, roster, team.

Which Synonym Should You Choose?

Word	Description / Examples
squad	Used often in a casual or friendly context, particularly among groups of friends or in sports. Also used in the military or law enforcement to refer to a small, specialized unit. I'm heading out with my squad tonight. The special forces squad executed their mission successfully.
team	A broad term used in multiple contexts including sports, work, and group activities to refer to a group of people working together towards a common goal. Our team is working hard on the new project. The basketball team won their game last night.
roster	Typically used in organizational or administrative contexts to refer to a list of members or participants, particularly in sports teams, work schedules, or other group activities. The soccer team's roster was posted on the bulletin board. She checked the roster to know her working hours for the week.
lineup	Commonly used in sports and entertainment contexts to refer to the specific arrangement or set of participants. Can also refer to a police lineup for identification purposes. The coach just announced the starting lineup for tonight's game. The music festival has an incredible lineup this year. She identified the suspect in a police lineup.

Examples of usage

The coach announced the squad for the upcoming match.
She was thrilled to be selected for the national squad.

^{Context #3 | Noun}

informal

A group of friends or associates who spend time together and support each other. Squads are often formed based on shared interests, values, or experiences, and provide a sense of camaraderie and belonging.

Synonyms

clique, crew, posse.

Which Synonym Should You Choose?

Word	Description / Examples
squad	Used to refer to a close-knit group of friends or teammates, typically in a positive manner. It can also indicate a small unit in the military or police forces. I'm going to the mall with my squad this weekend. The police squad responded to the emergency call.
crew	Commonly used to describe a group of people working together, like a film crew, or a group of friends, often with a shared interest or activity. The film crew arrived early to set up for the shoot. I'm hanging out with my skating crew later.
posse	Refers to a group of people, often friends, who have a shared interest or activity. It's also historically used to mean a group of armed men gathered by a sheriff to enforce the law. He rolled up with his posse to the concert. The sheriff's posse tracked down the outlaws.
clique	Used mainly to describe an exclusive group that is often perceived as unfriendly or unwelcoming to outsiders. It has a negative connotation. In high school, she felt left out because she wasn't part of any clique. That clique always sits together at lunch and never talks to anyone else.

Examples of usage

She went out for dinner with her squad.
They consider themselves part of the same squad.

Translations

Translations of the word "squad" in other languages:

🇵🇹 esquadrão

🇮🇳 दस्ता

🇩🇪 Trupp

🇮🇩 skuad

🇺🇦 загін

🇵🇱 oddział

🇯🇵 分隊

🇫🇷 escouade

🇪🇸 escuadrón

🇹🇷 manga

🇰🇷 분대

🇸🇦 فرقة

🇨🇿 oddíl

🇸🇰 oddiel

🇨🇳 小队

🇸🇮 enota

🇮🇸 hópur

🇰🇿 құрам

🇬🇪 საზოგადოება

🇦🇿 dəstə

🇲🇽 escuadrón

Etymology

The word 'squad' originated from the Italian word 'squadrare', meaning 'to square'. It was first used in English in the mid-17th century to refer to a small number of military soldiers forming a unit. Over time, the term evolved to encompass groups of people working together in various contexts, such as sports teams or social circles. The concept of a squad has come to symbolize collaboration, unity, and shared goals.

Word Frequency Rank

Ranked #10,798, this word falls into high-advanced vocabulary. It appears less frequently but is valuable for expressing precise meanings in specific contexts.

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10795 timid
10796 hanged
10797 immensely
10798 squad
10799 degenerate
10800 mil
10801 anxiously
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