ENGLISH
REFERENCE

squash

v. · n.
US //ˈskwɑʃ// UK //skwˈɒʃ// squash
  1. 1 to crush (v.)
    B1 Intermediate

    to press something so hard that it becomes flat or breaks.

    to compress or crush something into a pulp or a flat mass through pressure.

    Example

    Be careful not to squash the bread when you put the heavy groceries in the bag.

    Example

    The heavy machinery accidentally squashed the metal containers, rendering the contents inaccessible and the equipment useless.
  2. 2 to squeeze into a space (v.)
    B2 Upper Intermediate

    to push yourself or something into a space that is almost too small.

    to force or compress oneself or an object into a restricted space.

    Example

    Six of us tried to squash into the small car for the short drive home.

    Example

    The commuters attempted to squash themselves into the already overcrowded train carriage during the peak of the morning rush.
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  1. 3 to suppress (v.)
    C1 Advanced Formal

    to stop something from happening or continuing, like a rumour or a protest.

    to suppress or silence something, such as an idea, a movement, or a feeling, often by force or authority.

    Example

    The manager quickly squashed the rumours about the company closing down.

    Example

    The government moved swiftly to squash the rebellion before it could gain traction in the rural provinces.
  2. 4 the vegetable (n.)
    B1 Intermediate Cooking

    a large vegetable with a hard skin that grows on a vine, like a pumpkin.

    any of various fleshy fruits of the genus Cucurbita, used as a vegetable.

    Example

    We roasted a butternut squash with garlic and herbs for dinner.

    Example

    The farmer displayed a variety of winter squash at the market, ranging from small acorns to massive pumpkins.
  3. 5 the sport (n.)
    B1 Intermediate Sport

    a game played by two people in a room with four walls, using rackets and a small ball.

    a high-intensity racket sport played in a four-walled court with a small, hollow rubber ball.

    Example

    He plays squash twice a week to stay fit and improve his speed.

    Example

    The professional squash circuit requires athletes to possess exceptional cardiovascular endurance and lightning-fast reflexes.

  4. 6 fruit drink (n.)
    B1 Intermediate British English

    a sweet, thick fruit liquid that you mix with water to make a drink.

    a concentrated fruit-based syrup intended to be diluted with water before consumption.

    Example

    The children wanted some orange squash after playing outside in the sun.

    Example

    In the heat of the afternoon, she prepared a large pitcher of lemon squash for the guests.
  5. 7 a tight crowd (n.)
    B2 Upper Intermediate Informal

    a situation where there are too many people in a small space.

    a state or place of extreme congestion where movement is restricted.

    Example

    It was a bit of a squash in the lift with all ten of us inside.

    Example

    The concert hall was a total squash, making it nearly impossible for security to navigate through the dense crowd.
Etymology 1

From Middle English squachen, squatchen, from Old French esquacher, escachier, from Vulgar Latin excoāctiāre, from Latin ex + coāctāre. Probably influenced by Middle English quashen, quassen, from Old French esquasser, escasser (“to crush, shatter, destroy, break”), from Vulgar Latin exquassare, from Latin ex- + quassare (“to shatter”) (see quash).

Etymology 2

Shortening of Narragansett askutasquash (“[a vegetable] eaten green (or raw)”), from askut (“green, raw”) + asquash (“eaten”).

Etymology 3

Clipping of musquash.

Idioms1 entry

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