1. A small group of people organized in a common endeavor or activity.
2. The smallest tactical unit of military personnel.
3. A small unit of police officers.
4. Sports. An athletic team.

[Obsolete French esquade, from Old French escadre, from Old Spanish escuadra and Old Italian squadra, both from Vulgar Latin *exquadra, square. See square.]

The American Heritage® Dictionary of the English Language, Fourth Edition Copyright © 2007, 2000 by Houghton Mifflin Company. Updated in 2009. Published by Houghton Mifflin Company. All rights reserved.