Squad

Part of speech: noun

Pronunciation: /ˈskwɒd/

Definitions

1. A collection of individuals united for a common aim or function, typically observed in contexts like athletics, security, or group projects
2. An assembly of people collaborating toward a shared goal or mission, often found in environments such as sports, military, or workplace teams
3. A group of individuals organized to work together for a specific purpose, commonly seen in settings like sports teams, military units, or collaborative projects

Etymology: The word "squad" arrived in English from French "escouade," which in turn came from Italian "squadra," meaning "square." The shift from a geometric shape to a group of soldiers is a matter of military formation: a squadron was a body of men drawn up in a square, and the "square" sense of the Italian word carried over into the idea of a unit gathered together for a task. The French form also gave rise to "escadre," the source of the English "squadron," so "squad" and "squadron" are relatives with a shared origin. Both trace back to the Latin "quadrum," a four-sided figure, which is also the ancestor of "square" itself. English took "square" directly from Old French "esquarre," so "squad" and "square" are doublets, two words from one root that reached English by different routes.

Synonyms: team, group, crew, unit, platoon

Antonyms: individual, loner, solitary, singleton, outsider