English Reference
noun

quarters

n.
US /ˈkwɔɹtɝz/ UK /kwˈɔːtəz/ quar·ters

  1. 01 B2 Upper Intermediate Military

    the place where someone lives or stays, especially for soldiers or workers.

    housing or living accommodations, typically provided for military personnel or staff members.

    Simple

    The soldiers returned to their quarters after a long day of training.

    In context

    The naval officers were assigned private quarters on the upper deck, while the rest of the crew shared communal bunks below.

    Usage

    Usually plural in this sense.

  2. 02 C1 Advanced InformalAmerican English

    a game where players try to bounce a coin into a glass.

    a social drinking game involving the bouncing of a coin off a table into a glass or container.

    Simple

    The students were playing quarters in the kitchen during the party.

    In context

    While common at university social gatherings, the game of quarters is often banned in official campus housing due to alcohol regulations.

Chalmers added that “even with today’s figures annual real wages have grown for eight of the last 11 quarters”.

The Guardian· 19 Aug 2026

Astronauts could carry it into their living quarters each time they return from working on the planet's surface.

Phys.org· 18 Aug 2026
This entry
Level B2 · Upper Intermediate
Frequency Common
Updated