Quarters vs. Quarter — What's the Difference?
By Tayyaba Rehman & Fiza Rafique — Updated on April 25, 2024
Quarters often refers to accommodations or distinct periods in a year, while a quarter denotes one-fourth of something, typically related to measurements or fractions.
Difference Between Quarters and Quarter
Table of Contents
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Key Differences
Quarters can mean living accommodations, such as military quarters, where people reside temporarily or permanently. On the other hand, a quarter can signify 25 cents in American currency, representing one-fourth of a dollar.
In the context of time, quarters describe one of four equal parts into which a year is divided in business and finance, notably used in fiscal and calendar year discussions. Whereas a quarter can also represent a specific 15-minute segment within an hour or a quarter of an hour.
Quarters are used in sports, like basketball, to define each of four equal periods in which the game is divided. In contrast, a quarter (as a fraction) is frequently applied in various measurements, such as length, quantity, or volume, representing a division of one-fourth.
Comparison Chart
Meaning
Accommodations or time periods
One-fourth of a whole
Usage in time
Fiscal/business year divisions
15-minute interval
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Monetary value
Not applicable
25 cents in U.S. currency
Usage in sports
Divisions of game periods
Not specifically used
General usage
Multiple or several instances
A single fractional measurement
Compare with Definitions
Quarters
Segments of a year.
Companies often report earnings every quarter.
Quarter
Fractional unit (1/4).
She cut the pie into four quarters.
Quarters
Living or work spaces.
The soldiers returned to their quarters after the drill.
Quarter
Monetary value (25 cents).
I need a quarter for the parking meter.
Quarters
Historical contexts, like old quarters of a city.
We toured the ancient quarters of Jerusalem.
Quarter
Academic terms or sports periods.
The game was intense right up to the last quarter.
Quarters
Informal use for distance or areas.
I live just quarters away from the supermarket.
Quarter
Directional or geographical descriptor.
Strong winds came from the north quarter.
Quarters
General use for multiple items or places.
He searched all quarters of the town for that book.
Quarter
Time interval (15 minutes).
The meeting starts at a quarter past ten.
Quarters
One of four equal parts.
Quarter
Each of four equal or corresponding parts into which something is or can be divided
A page and a quarter
A quarter of a mile
She cut each apple into quarters
Quarters
A coin equal to one fourth of the dollar of the United States and Canada.
Quarter
One fourth of a pound weight (avoirdupois, equal to 4 ounces).
Quarters
One fourth of an hour; 15 minutes.
Quarter
The haunches or hindquarters of a horse
They have strong, muscular quarters
Quarters
One fourth of a year; three months
Sales were up in the second quarter.
Quarter
A part of a town or city having a particular character or use
A beautiful port city with a fascinating medieval quarter
Quarters
An academic term lasting approximately three months.
Quarter
The direction of one of the points of the compass, especially as a direction from which the wind blows.
Quarters
One fourth of the period of the moon's revolution around Earth.
Quarter
Rooms or lodgings, especially those allocated to people in military or domestic service
They lived in RAF married quarters
Quarters
One of the two phases of the moon at which the moon, as viewed from Earth, appears to be half illuminated by the sun. The quarter phases mark the quarter and three-quarter points of the moon's revolution about the Earth.
Quarter
Pity or mercy shown towards an enemy or opponent who is in one's power
The riot squad gave no quarter
Quarters
(Sports) One of four equal periods of playing time into which some games, such as football and basketball, are divided.
Quarter
Each of four or more roughly equal divisions of a shield separated by vertical and horizontal lines.
Quarters
One fourth of a yard; nine inches.
Quarter
Divide into four equal or corresponding parts
Peel and quarter the bananas
Quarters
One fourth of a mile; two furlongs.
Quarter
Be stationed or lodged in a specified place
Many were quartered in tents
Quarters
One fourth of a pound; four ounces.
Quarter
Range over or traverse (an area) in every direction
We watched a pair of kingfishers quartering the river looking for minnows
Quarters
One fourth of a ton; 500 pounds. Used as a measure of grain.
Quarter
Display (different coats of arms) in quarters of a shield, especially to show arms inherited from heiresses who have married into the bearer's family
Edward III quartered the French royal arms with his own
Quarters
Chiefly British A measure of grain equal to approximately eight bushels.
Quarter
One of four equal parts.
Quarters
One fourth of a hundredweight; 25 pounds.
Quarter
A coin equal to one fourth of the dollar of the United States and Canada.
Quarters
One fourth of a British hundredweight; 28 pounds.
Quarter
One fourth of an hour; 15 minutes.
Quarters
One of the four major divisions of the compass.
Quarter
One fourth of a year; three months
Sales were up in the second quarter.
Quarters
One fourth of the distance between any two of the 32 divisions of the compass.
Quarter
An academic term lasting approximately three months.
Quarters
One of the four major divisions of the horizon as determined by the four major points of the compass.
Quarter
One fourth of the period of the moon's revolution around Earth.
Quarters
A region or an area of the earth thought of as falling into such a specific division of the compass.
Quarter
One of the two phases of the moon at which the moon, as viewed from Earth, appears to be half illuminated by the sun. The quarter phases mark the quarter and three-quarter points of the moon's revolution about the Earth.
Quarters
(Nautical) The general direction on either side of a ship located 45° off the stern.
Quarter
(Sports) One of four equal periods of playing time into which some games, such as football and basketball, are divided.
Quarters
The upper portion of the after side of a ship, usually between the aftermost mast and the stern.
Quarter
One fourth of a yard; nine inches.
Quarters
The part of a yard between the slings and the yardarm.
Quarter
One fourth of a mile; two furlongs.
Quarters
(Heraldry) Any of four equal divisions of a shield.
Quarter
One fourth of a pound; four ounces.
Quarters
One leg of an animal's carcass, usually including the adjoining parts.
Quarter
One fourth of a ton; 500 pounds. Used as a measure of grain.
Quarters
Either side of a horse's hoof.
Quarter
Chiefly British A measure of grain equal to approximately eight bushels.
Quarters
The part of the side of a shoe between the heel and the vamp.
Quarter
One fourth of a hundredweight; 25 pounds.
Quarters
Quarters A place of residence, especially the buildings or barracks used to house military personnel or their dependents.
Quarter
One fourth of a British hundredweight; 28 pounds.
Quarters
Often quarters A proper or assigned station or place, as for officers and crew on a warship.
Quarter
One of the four major divisions of the compass.
Quarters
Often Quarter A specific district or section, as of a city
The French Quarter.
Quarter
One fourth of the distance between any two of the 32 divisions of the compass.
Quarters
Often quarters An unspecified person or group
Information from the highest quarters.
Quarter
One of the four major divisions of the horizon as determined by the four major points of the compass.
Quarters
Mercy or clemency, especially when displayed or given to an enemy.
Quarter
A region or an area of the earth thought of as falling into such a specific division of the compass.
Quarters
Being one of four equal or equivalent parts.
Quarter
(Nautical) The general direction on either side of a ship located 45° off the stern.
Quarters
Being one fourth of a standard or usual value.
Quarter
The upper portion of the after side of a ship, usually between the aftermost mast and the stern.
Quarters
To divide into four equal or equivalent parts.
Quarter
The part of a yard between the slings and the yardarm.
Quarters
To quartersaw.
Quarter
(Heraldry) Any of four equal divisions of a shield.
Quarters
To divide or separate into a number of parts.
Quarter
One leg of an animal's carcass, usually including the adjoining parts.
Quarters
To dismember (a human body) into four parts.
Quarter
Either side of a horse's hoof.
Quarters
(Heraldry) To divide (a shield) into four equal areas with vertical and horizontal lines.
Quarter
The part of the side of a shoe between the heel and the vamp.
Quarters
To mark or place (holes, for example) a fourth of a circle apart.
Quarter
Quarters A place of residence, especially the buildings or barracks used to house military personnel or their dependents.
Quarters
To locate and adjust (one machine part) at right angles to its connecting part within the machine.
Quarter
Often quarters A proper or assigned station or place, as for officers and crew on a warship.
Quarters
To furnish with housing
Quartered the troops in an old factory building.
Quarter
Often Quarter A specific district or section, as of a city
The French Quarter.
Quarters
To traverse (an area of ground) laterally back and forth while slowly advancing forward.
Quarter
Often quarters An unspecified person or group
Information from the highest quarters.
Quarters
To take up or be assigned lodgings.
Quarter
Mercy or clemency, especially when displayed or given to an enemy.
Quarters
To cover an area of ground by ranging over it from side to side.
Quarter
Being one of four equal or equivalent parts.
Quarters
Plural of quarter.
Quarter
Being one fourth of a standard or usual value.
Quarters
Housing, barracks or other habitation or living space. Compare cuarto.
Quarter
To divide into four equal or equivalent parts.
Quarters
(by extension) The place where someone or something lives
Quarter
To quartersaw.
Quarters
A commonly played university drinking game in North America.
Quarter
To divide or separate into a number of parts.
Quarters
Quarterfinals.
Quarter
To dismember (a human body) into four parts.
Quarters
Housing available for people to live in;
He found quarters for his family
I visited his bachelor quarters
Quarter
(Heraldry) To divide (a shield) into four equal areas with vertical and horizontal lines.
Quarter
To mark or place (holes, for example) a fourth of a circle apart.
Quarter
To locate and adjust (one machine part) at right angles to its connecting part within the machine.
Quarter
To furnish with housing
Quartered the troops in an old factory building.
Quarter
To traverse (an area of ground) laterally back and forth while slowly advancing forward.
Quarter
To take up or be assigned lodgings.
Quarter
To cover an area of ground by ranging over it from side to side.
Quarter
A fourth part of something.
Quarter
(in general sense) Each of four equal parts into which something can be divided; a fourth part.
A quarter of an hour.
Quarter
A measure of capacity used chiefly for grain or coal, varying greatly in quantity by time and location.
Quarter
A fourth part of a pound; approximately 113 grams.
Quarter
(historical) A measure of length; originally a fourth part of an ell, now chiefly a fourth part of a yard.
Quarter
A fourth part of the night; one of the watches or divisions of the night.
Quarter
A fourth part of the year; 3 months; a term or season.
Quarter
(time) A fourth part of an hour; a period of fifteen minutes, especially with reference to the quarter before or after the hour.
Quarter
A fourth part of a hundredweight.
Quarter
(heraldry) A fourth part of a coat of arms, or the charge on it, larger than a canton and normally on the upper dexter side, formed by a perpendicular line from the top meeting a horizontal line from the side.
Quarter
(North America) A quarter-dollar, divided into 25 cents; the coin of that value minted in the United States or Canada.
Quarter
(sport) One of four equal periods into which a game is divided.
Quarter
A quarter of an acre or 40 roods.
Quarter
Place or position.
Quarter
A region or place.
Quarter
Each of four parts into which the earth or sky is divided, corresponding to the four cardinal points of the compass.
Quarter
A division or section of a town or city, especially having a particular character of its own, or associated with a particular group etc.
Quarter
One's residence or dwelling-place; in plural rooms, lodgings, especially as allocated to soldiers or domestic staff.
Quarter
A topic or area of endeavour.
Quarter
(nautical) The aftmost part of a vessel's side, roughly from the last mast to the stern.
Quarter
(farriery) The part on either side of a horse's hoof between the toe and heel, the side of its coffin.
Quarter
(often plural) A section (of a population), especially one having a particular set of values or interests.
Opposition to the policy came from an unexpected quarter, as well as from certain quarters which had historically opposed it
All quarters of the socialist movement; praise from Conservative quarters
Quarter
(obsolete) Relations between people.
Quarter
Accommodation given to a defeated opponent; mercy; exemption from being killed.
Quarter
Short forms.
Quarter
A quarterback.
Quarter
A quartermaster; a quartermaster sergeant.
Quarter
A quarterfinal.
Quarter
Pertaining to an aspect of a quarter.
Quarter
(chiefly) Consisting of a fourth part, a quarter (4, 25%).
A quarter hour; a quarter century; a quarter note; a quarter pound
Quarter
(chiefly) Related to a three-month term, a quarter of a year.
A quarter day is one terminating a quarter of the year.
A quarter session is one held quarterly at the end of a quarter.
Quarter
(transitive) To divide into quarters; to divide by four.
Quarter
(transitive) To provide housing for military personnel or other equipment.
Quarter the horses in the third stable.
Quarter
(intransitive) To lodge; to have a temporary residence.
Quarter
(transitive) To quartersaw.
Quarter
(obsolete) To drive a carriage so as to prevent the wheels from going into the ruts, or so that a rut shall be between the wheels.
Quarter
One of four equal parts into which anything is divided, or is regarded as divided; a fourth part or portion; as, a quarter of a dollar, of a pound, of a yard, of an hour, etc.
Scouts each coast light-armed scour,Each quarter, to descry the distant foe.
Quarter
A division of a town, city, or county; a particular district; a locality; as, the Latin quarter in Paris.
Quarter
Proper station; specific place; assigned position; special location.
Swift to their several quarters hasted thenThe cumbrous elements.
The banter turned as to what quarters each would find.
Quarter
A station or encampment occupied by troops; a place of lodging for soldiers or officers; as, winter quarters.
He magnified his own clemency, now they were at his mercy, to offer them quarter for their lives.
Cocks and lambs . . . at the mercy of cats and wolves . . . must never expect better quarter.
Quarter
Friendship; amity; concord.
In quarter, and in terms like bride and groom.
I knew two that were competitors for the secretary's place, . . . and yet kept good quarter between themselves.
Quarter
To divide into four equal parts.
Quarter
To divide; to separate into parts or regions.
Then sailors quartered heaven.
Quarter
To furnish with shelter or entertainment; to supply with the means of living for a time; especially, to furnish shelter to; as, to quarter soldiers.
They mean this night in Sardis to be quartered.
Quarter
To furnish as a portion; to allot.
This isle . . . He quarters to his blue-haired deities.
Quarter
To arrange (different coats of arms) upon one escutcheon, as when a man inherits from both father and mother the right to bear arms.
Quarter
To lodge; to have a temporary residence.
Quarter
To drive a carriage so as to prevent the wheels from going into the ruts, or so that a rut shall be between the wheels.
Every creature that met us would rely on us for quartering.
Quarter
One of four equal parts;
A quarter of a pound
Quarter
A district of a city having some distinguishing character;
The Latin Quarter
Quarter
One of four periods of play into which some games are divided;
Both teams scored in the first quarter
Quarter
A unit of time equal to 15 minutes or a quarter of an hour;
It's a quarter til 4
A quarter after 4 o'clock
Quarter
One of four periods into which the school year is divided;
The fall quarter ends at Christmas
Quarter
A fourth part of a year; three months;
Unemployment fell during the last quarter
Quarter
One of the four major division of the compass;
The wind is coming from that quarter
Quarter
A quarter of a hundredweight (25 pounds)
Quarter
A quarter of a hundredweight (28 pounds)
Quarter
A United States coin worth one fourth of a dollar;
He fed four quarters into the slot machine
Quarter
An unspecified person;
He dropped a word in the right quarter
Quarter
The rear part of a ship
Quarter
Piece of leather that comprises the part of a shoe or boot covering the heel and joining the vamp
Quarter
Provide housing for (military personnel)
Quarter
Pull (a person) apart with four horses tied to his extremities, so as to execute him;
In the old days, people were drawn and quartered for certain crimes
Quarter
Divide into quarters;
Quarter an apple
Quarter
Divide by four; divide into quarters
Common Curiosities
How does fiscal quarters impact businesses?
Fiscal quarters divide the financial year into four parts, helping businesses in reporting and financial planning.
What does a quarter refer to in time measurement?
A quarter in time refers to fifteen minutes or one-fourth of an hour.
Can quarters refer to more than one quarter of the year?
Yes, quarters can refer to several periods, such as multiple fiscal or calendar quarters.
How do quarters and quarter differ in general usage?
Quarters generally refers to multiple instances or items, whereas a quarter refers to a singular fraction.
How many cents is one quarter worth in U.S. currency?
A quarter is worth 25 cents in U.S. currency.
Are the quarters of a city historical?
Often, city quarters refer to old or historically significant parts of the city.
What does 'the last quarter' typically refer to?
It can refer to the final quarter of an hour, year, or game, depending on the context.
How is the term quarter used in academics?
In academics, a quarter can refer to one-fourth of the academic year.
What are living quarters?
Living quarters are accommodations where people reside, such as apartments or military barracks.
Why is a quarter used to describe a section of sports games?
In sports like basketball and American football, games are divided into quarters to organize play time.
Is a quarter always a fraction?
While commonly a fraction, quarter can also describe monetary value, time segments, and other specific uses.
What does a quarter mean in geographical terms?
Geographically, a quarter can describe a specific area or direction, like the northeastern quarter.
What does 'quarters away' mean in terms of distance?
'Quarters away' informally indicates a short distance in an unspecified measure.
How do companies use quarters for reporting?
Companies use quarters to organize and report financial results periodically.
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Written by
Tayyaba RehmanTayyaba Rehman is a distinguished writer, currently serving as a primary contributor to askdifference.com. As a researcher in semantics and etymology, Tayyaba's passion for the complexity of languages and their distinctions has found a perfect home on the platform. Tayyaba delves into the intricacies of language, distinguishing between commonly confused words and phrases, thereby providing clarity for readers worldwide.
Co-written by
Fiza RafiqueFiza 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.
