squatted; squatting
1
: to crouch close to the ground as if to escape observation
a hare squatting in the grass
2
a
: to assume or maintain a position in which the body is supported on the feet and the knees are bent so that the buttocks rest on or near the heels
squatted by the campfire
b
: to exercise by performing a squat (see squat entry 3 sense 3a)
3
: to be or become a squatter
squat in an abandoned building
squatter; squattest
1
: sitting with the haunches close above the heels
2
a
: low to the ground
b
: marked by disproportionate shortness or thickness
squatly
adverb
squatness
noun
2
a
: a place where one squats
b
: the lair of a small animal
the squat of a hare
3
a
: an exercise in which a standing person lowers to a position in which the torso is erect and the knees are deeply bent and then rises to an upright position
Note: A squat can be done while holding weights, with a barbell on the upper back, or without weights.
b
weight lifting
: a lift involving a squat done while holding a barbell on the shoulders
also
: a competitive event involving this lift
4
chiefly British
: an empty house or building that is occupied by squatters
5
slang
: diddly-squat
Synonyms
Verb
Adjective
Noun
Examples of squat in a Sentence
Verb
He squatted behind the bush to avoid being seen.
A family has been squatting in that house for months.
Adjective
a short, squat woman
Noun
He didn't do squat all day.
She lives in a squat.
Recent Examples on the Web
Danny Davis, Austin American-Statesman, 22 Nov. 2024
If the people involved lived in an area where squatting is handled by law enforcement, there's less of a chance violence will occur, but many homeowners are left without protections, Chang said.
—Matt Robison, Newsweek, 20 Nov. 2024
Jakob Roze, Health, 17 Oct. 2024
But with camp approaching, goalies are spending more time in the net than at the squat rack.
—Fluto Shinzawa, The Athletic, 15 Aug. 2024
Alyssa Hui-Anderson, Verywell Health, 25 Nov. 2024
The British Heart Foundation has a 10-minute workout from their physical activity specialist Lisa Young that consists of sit-ups, squats, jumping jacks, punches and high knees.
—Bruce Y. Lee, Forbes, 6 Nov. 2024
See all Example Sentences for squat 
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Verb
Sorrell bench pressed 425 pounds, squatted 575 and power cleaned 355, but coaches say the most impressive number is his explosive burst for his size.
—Danny Davis, Austin American-Statesman, 22 Nov. 2024
If the people involved lived in an area where squatting is handled by law enforcement, there's less of a chance violence will occur, but many homeowners are left without protections, Chang said.
—Matt Robison, Newsweek, 20 Nov. 2024
Adjective
The Bulgarian split squat is a powerful lower-body exercise for leg strengthening.
—Jakob Roze, Health, 17 Oct. 2024
But with camp approaching, goalies are spending more time in the net than at the squat rack.
—Fluto Shinzawa, The Athletic, 15 Aug. 2024
Noun
Your training routine should include a variety of compound movements, like lunges, Bulgarian split squats, leg presses, pull-downs, upright rows, and push-ups.
—Alyssa Hui-Anderson, Verywell Health, 25 Nov. 2024
The British Heart Foundation has a 10-minute workout from their physical activity specialist Lisa Young that consists of sit-ups, squats, jumping jacks, punches and high knees.
—Bruce Y. Lee, Forbes, 6 Nov. 2024
See all Example Sentences for squat
Dictionary Entries Near squat
Cite this Entry
“Squat.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/squat. Accessed 30 Nov. 2024.
Copy CitationKids Definition
squat
1 of 3 verb
squatted; squatting
1
: to sit or cause (oneself) to sit on one's heels
2
: to occupy land as a squatter
3
: to crouch close to the ground
a hare squatting in the grass
squat
2 of 3 noun1
: the act of squatting
2
: a squatting posture
squat
3 of 3 adjective
squatter; squattest
1
: being in a squatting posture
2
: low to the ground
3
: being short and thick
squatly
adverb
squatness
noun
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