squat Definition
squat (skwät)
intransitive verb squat′·ted, squat′·ting
- to crouch so as to sit on the heels with the knees bent and the weight resting on the balls of the feet
- to crouch or cower close to the ground: said of an animal
- ☆ to settle on land, esp. public or unoccupied land, without right or title
- ☆ to settle on public land under regulation by the government, in order to get title to it
- to occupy illegally an empty, abandoned, or condemned house, building, apartment, etc.
Etymology: ME squatten < MFr esquatir < es- (L ex-), intens. + quatir, to press flat < VL *coactire < L coactus, pp. of cogere, to force, compress: see cogent
transitive verb
to cause to squat: usually reflexive
adjective squat′·ter, squat′·test
- crouched in a squatting position
- short and heavy or thick
noun
- the act of squatting
- the position taken in squatting; crouching posture
- a dwelling used by a squatter
- ☆ Slang
- anything: used in a negative construction signifying “nothing or a very small amount” he doesn't know squat about it
- nothing
- Weight Lifting a type of exercise in which a person holding a barbell at shoulder height squats, then stands erect
squat Related Forms
squat Synonyms
squat Synonyms
squat Usage Examples
Object
- position: For example, simply rising from a squatting position may cause a tear.
- street: St Agnes Place Campaign to save the last squatted community street in London and resist evictions.
- press: At the moment I am in the gym 3 times a week doing squats, leg presses and upper body stuff.
- exercise: Try the squatting exercises or use the birth ball.
- building: But don't worry tho, they intend to squat another building soon.
- land: Peasants on squatted land were given title deeds and land belonging to Batista's cronies was confiscated to create state farms and co-operatives.
Preposition: on
floor: I am squatting on the floor, leaning in between Rich's knees, who is sitting on the sofa.
Modifies a noun
- lobster: The wall had the usual population of squat lobsters.
- thrust: Alternate leg squat thrusts - count reps on 1 leg only.
- jar: Notes Classes 1 to 6 - To be in 1lb round squat honey jars.
- jump: This could involve, for example, heavy squats followed by squat jumps.
- rack: My gym doesn't have a squat rack or power cage whence the usage of the Smith's machine.
- tower: A squat tower capped by a pyramid roof with a weathercock.
Modifying Another Word
- diddly: OzzMosiz Jul 3 2006, 06:09 PM Doesn't mean diddly squat to me!
- deep: We then started doing deep squats, with hip presses during contractions.
- rather: In shape it is rather squat, hence the common name, crab louse.
Followed by an intransitive particle
down: Eleanor had to squat down carefully to avoid banging her head on the rafters.
Preposition: in
front: I saw a dark, creeping figure which crawled round the corner and squatted in front of the door.
Preposition: with
Browse dictionary entries near squat
- ‹ squashy
- ‹ squash bug
- ‹ squash
- ‹ squarrose
- ‹ squarish
- ‹ squarely
- ‹ squared
- ‹ square wave
- ‹ square-toed
- ‹ square-shouldered
- squatter ›
- squatty ›
- squaw ›
- squaw man ›
- Squaw Valley ›
- squawfish ›
- squawk ›
- squawk box ›
- squawroot ›
- squeak ›

