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Gang vs. Squad — What's the Difference?

By Maham Liaqat & Fiza Rafique — Updated on May 2, 2024
Gangs are often linked to illegal activities and have a loose structure, while squads are smaller groups within a larger organization, typically with a specific function.
Gang vs. Squad — What's the Difference?

Difference Between Gang and Squad

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Key Differences

A gang typically refers to a group involved in criminal activities, often with a loose or informal organizational structure. In contrast, a squad is a small group that forms part of a larger organization and is organized around specific tasks or functions.
Gangs are usually associated with activities that are outside the law, such as drug trafficking or violence. On the other hand, squads are commonly found within lawful organizations, including military, police, or even corporate settings.
The membership of a gang is often based on neighborhood or familial ties, and loyalty is highly valued. Whereas, squads are formed based on skills, roles, and professional qualifications needed to accomplish defined objectives.
In gangs, leadership can be based on power dynamics and is often not formally recognized. Meanwhile, squads typically operate under a clear leadership hierarchy and defined roles within the broader organization.
While gangs might engage in a variety of ad-hoc and unsanctioned activities, squads are usually task-specific and operate under organizational rules and guidelines.
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Comparison Chart

Definition

An informal group involved in criminal activities.
A small group within a larger organization, focused on specific tasks.

Common Context

Criminal underworld
Military, police, sports teams

Organizational Structure

Loose, often based on personal ties
Structured, with defined roles

Purpose

Often illegal activities
Specific, lawful functions

Leadership

Informal, based on dominance
Formal, based on hierarchy

Compare with Definitions

Gang

A group of criminals or delinquents.
The gang was known for their involvement in numerous bank robberies.

Squad

A tactical unit within the armed forces.
The squad moved through the jungle silently.

Gang

A group of people who associate closely.
She always hangs out with her gang of friends.

Squad

A small group of people organized for a particular task.
The cleaning squad is responsible for keeping the building spotless.

Gang

A collective term used informally to refer to a group of people.
The whole gang is coming over for dinner tonight.

Squad

A group of sports players representing a team in a game.
The first squad is playing tonight's match.

Gang

A set of switches, sockets, or other devices grouped together.
He installed a gang of new switches in the hallway.

Squad

A unit of police assigned to a specific duty.
The bomb squad was called after a suspicious package was found.

Gang

A group involved in illicit activities.
The police are investigating the gang for their illegal drug trade.

Squad

A group of individuals assembled for administrative purposes.
The event squad is handling all the arrangements for the conference.

Gang

A gang is a group or society of associates, friends or members of a family with a defined leadership and internal organization that identifies with or claims control over territory in a community and engages, either individually or collectively, in illegal, and possibly violent, behavior. Gangs arose in America by the middle of the nineteenth century and were a concern for city leaders from the time they appeared.

Squad

In military terminology, a squad is amongst the smallest of military organizations and is led by a non-commissioned officer. NATO and US doctrine define a squad as an organization "larger than a team, but smaller than a section." while US Army doctrine further defines a squad as a "small military unit typically containing two or more fire teams." In US usage, a squad consists of eight to fourteen soldiers, and may be further subdivided into fireteams.

Gang

A group of criminals or hoodlums who band together for mutual protection and profit.

Squad

A small group of people organized in a common endeavor or activity.

Gang

A group of adolescents who band together, especially a group of delinquents.

Squad

The smallest tactical unit of military personnel.

Gang

(Informal) A group of people who associate regularly on a social basis
The whole gang from the office went to a clambake.

Squad

A small unit of police officers.

Gang

A group of laborers organized together on one job or under one foreperson
A railroad gang.

Squad

(Sports) An athletic team.

Gang

A matched or coordinated set, as of tools
A gang of chisels.

Squad

A group of people organized for some common purpose, usually of about ten members.

Gang

A pack of wolves or wild dogs.

Squad

A unit of tactical military personnel, or of police officers, usually of about ten members.

Gang

A herd, especially of buffalo or elk.

Squad

A group of potential players from whom a starting team and substitutes are chosen.

Gang

Variant of gangue.

Squad

(informal) A collective noun for a group of squid.

Gang

To band together as a group or gang.

Squad

(slang) One's friend group, taken collectively; one's peeps.

Gang

To arrange or assemble into a group, as for simultaneous operation or production
Gang several pages onto one printing plate.

Squad

Sloppy mud.

Gang

To attack as an organized group.

Squad

(intransitive) To act as part of, or on behalf of, a squad.
We squad on the fifth of the month.

Gang

To go; walk; proceed.

Squad

A small party of men assembled for drill, inspection, or other purposes.

Gang

(transitive) To attach similar items together to form a larger unit.

Squad

Hence, any small party.

Gang

Pronunciation spelling of gan

Squad

Sloppy mud.

Gang

A number going in company; a number of friends or persons associated for a particular purpose.
The Gashouse Gang
The gang from our office is going out for drinks Friday night.

Squad

A smallest army unit

Gang

A group of laborers under one foreman; a squad.
A gang of sailors; a railroad gang; a labor gang or pool.

Squad

A cooperative unit

Gang

A criminal group with a common cultural background and identifying features, often associated with a particular section of a city.
A youth gang; a neighborhood gang; motorcycle gang.

Gang

A group of criminals or alleged criminals who band together for mutual protection and profit.
The Winter Hill Gang was quite proficient at murdering rival mobsters in order to take over their rackets.

Gang

A group of politicians united in furtherance of a political goal.
The Gang of Four was led by Jiang Qing, the fourth wife of Mao Zedong.
Not all members of the Gang of Six are consistent in their opposition to filibuster.

Gang

(US) A chain gang.

Gang

A combination of similar tools or implements arranged so as, by acting together, to save time or labor; a set.
A gang of saws; a gang of plows; a gang drill; gang milling.

Gang

A set; all required for an outfit.
A new gang of stays.

Gang

(electrics) A number of switches or other electrical devices wired into one unit and covered by one faceplate.
An outlet gang box; a double gang switch.

Gang

(electrics) A group of wires attached as a bundle.
A gang of wires
Do a drop for the telephone gang, then another drop for the Internet gang, both through the ceiling of the wiring closet.

Gang

A going, journey; a course, path, track.

Gang

(obsolete) An outhouse: an outbuilding used as a lavatory.

Gang

To go; to walk.

Gang

A going; a course.

Gang

A number going in company; hence, a company, or a number of persons associated for a particular purpose; a group of laborers under one foreman; a squad; as, a gang of sailors; a chain gang; a gang of thieves.

Gang

A combination of similar implements arranged so as, by acting together, to save time or labor; a set; as, a gang of saws, or of plows.

Gang

A set; all required for an outfit; as, a new gang of stays.

Gang

The mineral substance which incloses a vein; a matrix; a gangue.

Gang

A group of teenagers or young adults forming a more or less formalized group associating for social purposes, in some cases requiring initiation rites to join; as, a teen gang; a youth gang; a street gang.

Gang

A group of persons organized for criminal purposes; a criminal organization; as, the Parker gang.

Gang

An association of criminals;
Police tried to break up the gang
A pack of thieves

Gang

An informal body of friends;
He still hangs out with the same crowd

Gang

An organized group of workmen

Gang

Tool consisting of a combination of implements arranged to work together

Gang

Act as an organized group

Common Curiosities

Are gangs legal

Gangs are generally associated with illegal activities and are considered unlawful.

What is a gang

A gang is typically a group of people involved in criminal activities with a loose organizational structure.

How do gang members interact

Gang members interact based on personal ties and loyalty.

What is a squad

A squad is a small, structured group within a larger organization designated for specific tasks.

What is the typical size of a gang

Gangs can vary widely in size, but are generally larger than squads.

How is leadership structured in a squad

Leadership in a squad follows a clear hierarchy and is part of the organization's structure.

Are squads only found in the military

No, squads can be part of any organization, including sports teams and corporate settings.

How is leadership determined in a gang

Leadership in a gang is often based on strength or respect gained through criminal activities.

How are squads formed

Squads are formed within organizations based on the skills and roles needed to achieve specific objectives.

What is the typical size of a squad

Squads are typically smaller, often consisting of about ten members.

Can someone be a member of both a gang and a squad

While theoretically possible, it's unlikely due to the differing nature and goals of gangs and squads.

Do squads engage in criminal activities

Generally, squads operate within legal and organizational guidelines and do not engage in criminal activities.

Can gangs have a positive impact

While typically viewed negatively, some gangs can evolve into community groups or political movements.

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Author Spotlight

Written by
Maham Liaqat
Co-written by
Fiza Rafique
Fiza Rafique is a skilled content writer at AskDifference.com, where she meticulously refines and enhances written pieces. Drawing from her vast editorial expertise, Fiza ensures clarity, accuracy, and precision in every article. Passionate about language, she continually seeks to elevate the quality of content for readers worldwide.

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