# squash

/ˈskwɑʃ/ (US) · /skwˈɒʃ/ (UK)

Source: https://englishreference.com/word/squash
Updated: 2026-06-20

## Senses

### 1. to crush

verb · CEFR B1

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

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

- Be careful not to squash the bread when you put the heavy groceries in the bag.
- The heavy machinery accidentally squashed the metal containers, rendering the contents inaccessible and the equipment useless.

### 2. to squeeze into a space

verb · CEFR B2

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

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

- Six of us tried to squash into the small car for the short drive home.
- The commuters attempted to squash themselves into the already overcrowded train carriage during the peak of the morning rush.

### 3. to suppress

verb · CEFR C1 · Formal

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

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

- The manager quickly squashed the rumours about the company closing down.
- The government moved swiftly to squash the rebellion before it could gain traction in the rural provinces.

### 4. the vegetable

noun · CEFR B1

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

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

- We roasted a butternut squash with garlic and herbs for dinner.
- The farmer displayed a variety of winter squash at the market, ranging from small acorns to massive pumpkins.

### 5. the sport

noun · CEFR B1

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

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

- He plays squash twice a week to stay fit and improve his speed.
- The professional squash circuit requires athletes to possess exceptional cardiovascular endurance and lightning-fast reflexes.

### 6. fruit drink

noun · CEFR B1 · British English

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

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

- The children wanted some orange squash after playing outside in the sun.
- In the heat of the afternoon, she prepared a large pitcher of lemon squash for the guests.

### 7. a tight crowd

noun · CEFR B2 · Informal

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

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

- It was a bit of a squash in the lift with all ten of us inside.
- The concert hall was a total squash, making it nearly impossible for security to navigate through the dense crowd.

## Examples

- I am making a soup with roasted squash.
- The farmer harvested several varieties of winter squash to sell at the local market before the first frost.
- While summer varieties are harvested while their skins are still tender, winter squash is left on the vine until the rind hardens, allowing for long-term storage throughout the colder months.

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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.