Squad
/skwɑːd/
nounB1
Definition
A squad is a small team or group of people organized to do a particular task. This word is often used for groups in sports, the military, police, or any team working closely together. The group is usually smaller than a large team or organization and works together closely.
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See It in Action
A small group working together for a task or mission
- •The police squad arrived quickly at the scene.
- •Our soccer squad practices every afternoon.
- •The rescue squad saved the people from the fire.
Informal use for a close group of friends
- •I’m going out with my squad tonight.
- •Her squad always supports her in tough times.
Make It Stick
- ✓Think of "squad" like "team," but smaller and more focused on working closely together
- ✓Picture a small group of friends playing a game together or a few police officers working as a unit
- ✓It's the feeling of being part of a close group where everyone knows their role and helps each other
- ✓Sounds like "squad" → imagine a squad of soldiers standing in a line, ready to move as one
- ✓In movies, you often see a squad of heroes or police working together to solve a problem
- ✓NOT like "crowd" (many people, not organized), a squad is organized and purposeful
- ✓NOT like "club" (more social and bigger), a squad usually has a clear task or mission
- ✓NOT like "team" (can be large), a squad is smaller and more tight-knit
Try Other Words
- •Unit: a group organized for a specific purpose (Use when talking about military or police groups)
- •Crew: a group working together, often in jobs like ships, planes, or construction (Use when the group works on physical tasks or machines)
- •Group: any number of people together (Use in general, less organized situations)
- •Team: people working together for a shared goal (Use for sports or work, usually bigger than a squad)
Unboxing
- •Word parts: (no prefix or suffix) - "squad" is a simple root word
- •Etymology: From French "escouade," meaning a small troop or military group
- •Historical development: Used first in military contexts to mean a small group of soldiers; later adopted in sports and informal language
- •Modern usage: Common in sports, military, police, and friendly groups; often means a small, close team working together
Reflect & Connect
•How does being part of a squad make people feel more connected or responsible?
•Can a squad exist in a school or work setting? What tasks might they do?
Fill in the blanks
1.The police squad arrived ___ to help with the emergency situation.
2.When playing basketball, our squad needs to ___ well to win the game.
3.Unlike a large team, a squad usually has ___ members who know each other well.
4.She invited her entire squad ___ the party because they are close friends.
5.The rescue squad worked ___ to save the people trapped in the building.
6.A squad is different from a crowd because it is ___ and organized.
7.After training, the squad was ready to ___ their mission successfully.