verb

squadra

team

Definition & meaning

The word squadra has several distinct meanings in Italian, primarily revolving around the concepts of groups and geometric shapes:

Sports and Work Team: Most commonly, it refers to a group of people who play a sport together or work together toward a common goal. In English, this is translated as "team," "crew," or "squad." For example, a football team is a [squadra di calcio](vocabuo://word/squadra di calcio).
Geometric Tool: It refers to a technical drawing instrument used to draw right angles or specific degrees, known in English as a "set square" or "triangle." It is a fundamental tool for students and architects.
Military and Police Unit: It denotes a small tactical unit or a specific division within the police force, such as the [squadra mobile](vocabuo://word/squadra mobile) (flying squad/investigative unit).
Figurative use: It can be used to describe a group of people organized for a specific task, like a [squadra di soccorso](vocabuo://word/squadra di soccorso) (rescue team).

Grammar & Word origin

Grammar:

It is a feminine noun.
The singular form is squadra, and the plural form is .
It is often used with the definite article .

Word origin: The term derives from the Vulgar Latin exquadra, coming from the verb exquadrare (to square). The original sense referred to the act of making something square or rectangular, which led to the name of the tool used for that purpose. Later, the meaning expanded to describe a body of soldiers "squared up" or organized in a specific formation, eventually leading to the modern meaning of a coordinated group of people.

Synonyms & antonyms

Synonyms:

In the context of a team: , , , .
In the context of a crew: , .
In the context of a tool: (though a ruler is different, they are often mentioned together).