Squad vs. Squat — What's the Difference?
By Tayyaba Rehman — Updated on August 23, 2023
Squad refers to a group, often military or police, while squat is a verb meaning to crouch or sit low or an exercise targeting leg muscles.
Difference Between Squad and Squat
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Key Differences
The term "squad" typically represents a unit or team, especially within law enforcement or military structures. These units are organized groups of individuals working towards a common goal or mission. The presence of a squad suggests teamwork, cohesion, and structure. On the other hand, "squat" is an action, signifying a specific physical movement. When someone squats, they are lowering their body close to or onto their heels, often resembling a sitting position.
In another context, "squad" can also refer to an informal group of friends or colleagues. It represents camaraderie and shared experiences. The term "squat," on the contrary, can be associated with an exercise that targets the legs and core muscles. It's a commonly practiced movement in fitness regimens and strength training.
"Squad" as a noun has a community or collective connotation. For example, a sports team might be referred to as a "squad" because of the collaborative nature of their endeavor. "Squat," apart from being a verb, can also be a noun describing a short and stout object or person. It can denote something thickset or broad with low stature.
While "squad" can have a variety of meanings in different contexts, from a tactical police unit to a group of friends hanging out, "squat" is largely associated with a physical stance or a specific exercise. However, colloquially, "squat" can also mean 'nothing,' as in the phrase "He knows squat about the subject."
Comparison Chart
Part of Speech
Noun
Verb, Noun
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Primary Meaning
A team or group
To crouch or sit; Exercise targeting leg muscles
Secondary Meaning
Informal group of friends
Short and stout object or person
Related Phrases
"Join the squad"
"Do a squat"
Colloquial Use
Representing close-knit groups
Indicates 'nothing' e.g., "He knows squat about it."
Compare with Definitions
Squad
A small group formed for a joint effort
The police squad arrived at the scene.
Squat
To crouch or sit with knees bent
He decided to squat beside the campfire.
Squad
A unit of players forming a team
The soccer squad practiced daily.
Squat
A physical exercise targeting the thighs and hips
She did 20 squats as part of her workout.
Squad
A group of friends or associates
Our squad is meeting up for dinner.
Squat
To settle on unoccupied land without legal claim.
Squad
A subdivision of a company-sized military unit
The squad leader gave the orders.
Squat
To bend deeply at the knees while resting on one's feet.
Squad
A small party of men assembled for drill, inspection, or other purposes.
Squat
The angel fish (Squatina angelus).
Squad
Sloppy mud.
Squat
Be close to the earth, or be disproportionately wide;
The building squatted low
Squad
A unit of tactical military personnel, or of police officers, usually of about ten members.
Squat
Chiefly British The place occupied by a squatter.
Squad
A group of potential players from whom a starting team and substitutes are chosen.
Squat
(obsolete) A sudden or crushing fall.
Squad
A group of people organized for some common purpose, usually of about ten members.
Squat
The angel shark (genus Squatina).
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.
Squat
The posture of one that sits on his heels or hams, or close to the ground.
Squad
A small group of people organized in a common endeavor or activity.
Squat
A sudden or crushing fall.
Squad
The smallest tactical unit of military personnel.
Squat
A short, stout person or thing
That little squat building has been there for years.
Squad
A small unit of police officers.
Squat
Unlawfully occupying an uninhabited building
There were rumors of people squatting in the abandoned house.
Squad
(Sports) An athletic team.
Squat
To sit in a crouching position with knees bent and the buttocks on or near the heels.
Squad
(informal) A collective noun for a group of squid.
Squat
To crouch down, as an animal does.
Squad
(slang) One's friend group, taken collectively; one's peeps.
Squat
To occupy a given piece of public land in order to acquire title to it.
Squad
Sloppy mud.
Squat
To put (oneself) into a crouching posture.
Squad
(intransitive) To act as part of, or on behalf of, a squad.
We squad on the fifth of the month.
Squat
To occupy as a squatter.
Squad
Hence, any small party.
Squat
(Sports) To lift (an amount of weight) when doing a squat.
Squad
A smallest army unit
Squat
Crouched in a squatting position.
Squad
A cooperative unit
Squat
The act of squatting.
Squad
A group specialized in a particular task
The bomb squad was called in for the suspicious package.
Squat
A squatting or crouching posture.
Squat
(Sports) A lift or a weightlifting exercise in which one squats and stands while holding a weighted barbell supported by the back of the shoulders.
Squat
The lair of an animal such as a hare.
Squat
(Slang) A small or worthless amount; diddly-squat.
Squat
Relatively short or low, and thick or broad.
Squat
Sitting on one's heels; sitting close to the ground; cowering or crouching.
Squat
A position assumed by bending deeply at the knees while resting on one's feet.
Squat
(exercise) Any of various modes of callisthenic exercises performed by moving the body and bending at least one knee.
Squat
(weightlifting) A specific exercise in weightlifting performed by bending deeply at the knees and then rising (back squat), especially with a barbell resting across the shoulders (barbell back squat).
Squat
A building occupied without permission, as practiced by a squatter.
Squat
A place of concealment in which a hare spends time when inactive, especially during the day; a form.
Squat
A toilet used by squatting as opposed to sitting; a squat toilet.
Squat
Clipping of diddly-squat; something of no value.
I know squat about nuclear physics.
Squat
A mineral consisting of tin ore and spar.
Squat
(exercise) To perform one or more callisthenic exercises by moving the body and bending at least one knee.
Squat
(weightlifting) To exercise by bending deeply at the knees and then rising, while bearing weight across the shoulders or upper back.
Squat
To occupy or reside in a place without the permission of the owner.
Squat
To sit close to the ground; to stoop, or lie close to the ground, for example to escape observation.
Squat
(dated) To bruise or flatten by a fall; to squash.
Squat
(internet) To cybersquat.
Squat
A small vein of ore.
Squat
To sit down upon the hams or heels; as, the savages squatted near the fire.
Squat
To sit close to the ground; to cower; to stoop, or lie close, to escape observation, as a partridge or rabbit.
Squat
To settle on another's land without title; also, to settle on common or public lands.
Squat
To bruise or make flat by a fall.
Squat
Sitting on the hams or heels; sitting close to the ground; cowering; crouching.
Him there they found,Squat like a toad, close at the ear of Eve.
Squat
Short and thick, like the figure of an animal squatting.
The head [of the squill insect] is broad and squat.
Squat
Exercising by repeatedly assuming a squatting position; strengthens the leg muscles
Squat
A small worthless amount;
You don't know jack
Squat
The act of assuming or maintaining a squatting position
Squat
Sit on one's heels;
In some cultures, the women give birth while squatting
The children hunkered down to protect themselves from the sandstorm
Squat
Occupy (a dwelling) illegally
Squat
Short and thick; as e.g. having short legs and heavy musculature;
Some people seem born to be square and chunky
A dumpy little dumpling of a woman
Dachshunds are long lowset dogs with drooping ears
A little church with a squat tower
A squatty red smokestack
A stumpy ungainly figure
Squat
Having a low center of gravity; built low to the ground
Squat
Meaning 'nothing' in slang terms
He has squat chance of winning the bet.
Squat
Short and thick; low and broad.
Squat
(mining) A small vein of ore.
Common Curiosities
What is a squad?
A squad is primarily a small group, often referring to a military or police unit, but can also represent a team or a close-knit group of friends.
Is a squat solely a physical movement?
While squat primarily refers to a crouching motion, it can also describe a short, stout object or person and, colloquially, mean 'nothing.'
How are squads usually structured?
Squads are typically organized with a defined hierarchy or command structure, especially in military and law enforcement contexts.
How does squat relate to fitness?
Squat is a fundamental exercise that focuses on strengthening the legs and core, involving a movement where one lowers the body into a sitting-like position.
Can squad refer to friends?
Yes, colloquially, a "squad" can mean a group of friends, like in the phrase "squad goals" representing shared aspirations among friends.
Is a squadron the same as a squad?
No, while both terms relate to groups, a squadron is a larger military air unit, whereas a squad is typically a smaller team or unit on the ground.
In what context can "squat" mean 'nothing'?
Colloquially, "squat" can indicate a lack of something or nothing, as in "He doesn’t know squat about the topic."
Does "squad" have origins in the military?
Yes, the term "squad" has military roots, originally denoting a small military unit or team.
Can squat be used as a noun?
Yes, squat can refer to the action itself, describe something broad and low-set, or indicate an unauthorized occupation of a building.
What's the significance of squat in bodybuilding?
In bodybuilding, the squat is a foundational exercise known to develop leg muscles, particularly the quadriceps, hamstrings, and glutes.
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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.
