squad
n. countablen. a close group of friends who spend a lot of time together. It can also mean a small team of people working on a specific task, like in the police or military.
n. a small group of people organized for a specific purpose or task; in contemporary informal register, refers to a close-knit circle of friends.
I am going to the cinema with the squad tonight.
The local police department sent a specialized squad to investigate the series of break-ins downtown.
From French escouade, from Italian squadra (“square”) (whence also French escadre). Doublet of squadra and square.
Uncertain. Compare squick (“disgust”), squalid (“dirty”) with similar initial sounds.
Often used with the definite article 'the' when referring to a specific group of friends.
- 01
circular firing squad
A political party or other group experiencing considerable disarray because the members are engaging in internal disputes and mutual recrimination.
- 02
goon squad
A group of individuals serving as enforcers, bodyguards, assassins, and the like, especially persons hired for such a purpose and using violent, thuggish methods.