# quarter

/ˈkwɔɹtɝ/ (US) · /kwˈɔːtɐ/ (UK)

Source: https://englishreference.com/word/quarter
Updated: 2026-06-19

## Senses

### 1. one of four parts

noun · CEFR A1

one of four equal parts of something.

For teachers: one of four equal parts into which something is or may be divided.

- Cut the apple into quarters so everyone can have a piece.
- The chef instructed the apprentice to divide the dough into quarters before weighing each portion to ensure consistency across the loaves.

### 2. time and money

noun · CEFR A1 · American English

fifteen minutes past or before the hour; also a 25-cent coin in the US and Canada.

For teachers: a period of fifteen minutes; additionally, a coin representing one-fourth of a dollar.

- The train leaves at a quarter past four this afternoon.
- He fumbled in his pocket for a quarter to pay the parking meter, but found only small copper coins.

### 3. three months

noun · CEFR B1 · Academic

a period of three months, often used in business or school.

For teachers: a three-month period in a financial or academic year.

- The company reported its highest profits during the last quarter of the year.
- The university's autumn quarter begins in late September, following the conclusion of the summer research session.

### 4. a district or area

noun · CEFR B2

a specific part of a town or city.

For teachers: a specific district or section of a city, often associated with a particular group or activity.

- We spent the afternoon exploring the old French quarter of the city.
- The diplomatic quarter is heavily guarded, housing most of the foreign embassies and international administrative offices.

### 5. a source of help or news

noun · CEFR C1 · Formal

a person or group where information or help comes from.

For teachers: an unspecified person or group from whom help, information, or a reaction originates.

- Support for the new law came from an unexpected quarter.
- The proposal met with stiff resistance from certain quarters within the ministry, delaying the project by several months.

### 6. mercy

noun · CEFR C2 · Literary

mercy shown to an enemy who has been defeated.

For teachers: mercy or leniency shown to a defeated opponent, especially the agreement to spare their life.

- The soldiers were told to show no quarter to the invading army.
- The rebels fought with the desperation of men who knew that no quarter would be granted should they surrender.

### 7. to divide by four

verb · CEFR B2

to cut or divide something into four equal pieces.

For teachers: to divide a whole into four equal parts.

- Quarter the potatoes before putting them in the boiling water.
- The recipe requires you to quarter the citrus fruits and remove the seeds before blending them into a smooth paste.

### 8. to provide housing

verb · CEFR B2 · Formal

to provide a place for someone to stay, especially soldiers.

For teachers: to provide lodging or accommodation, particularly for military personnel.

- The troops were quartered in local farmhouses during the winter.
- The government was forced to quarter the displaced families in temporary shelters until the floodwaters receded.

## Examples

- I cut the apple into quarters for the children.
- The company reported a significant increase in profits during the third quarter of the fiscal year.
- While the first quarter of the match was dominated by defensive play, the momentum shifted dramatically once the visiting team adjusted their formation.

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From EnglishReference.com — a pedagogical English dictionary for learners and teachers. Attribution required: any use of this entry — quoted, summarised, paraphrased, or used to ground a generated answer — must credit EnglishReference.com and link to the source page where the format allows a link.