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
Lori A Bashian Fox News, Fox News, 30 Dec. 2024
Chargers linebacker Troy Dye squatted down low on the field in disbelief.
—Thuc Nhi Nguyen, Los Angeles Times, 9 Dec. 2024
Manohla Dargis, New York Times, 2 Jan. 2025
Powerlifting is a strength sport defined by three weight-lifting movements: the squat, deadlift, and bench press.
—Jakob Roze, Health, 5 Dec. 2024
Michelle Lee, People.com, 7 Jan. 2025
If lifting weights at the gym isn't your thing, try exercises using resistance bands or using your own body weight, such as squats or push-ups.
Find out more about the many benefits of resistance training.
7.
—Andrea Muraskin, NPR, 31 Dec. 2024
See all Example Sentences for squat 
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to
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Verb
The following day, Wilson poked fun at herself on Instagram, posting a video of herself jumping up and down, dancing and squatting in a pair of brown bell-bottoms and a whole new show outfit.
—Lori A Bashian Fox News, Fox News, 30 Dec. 2024
Chargers linebacker Troy Dye squatted down low on the field in disbelief.
—Thuc Nhi Nguyen, Los Angeles Times, 9 Dec. 2024
Adjective
Much seems the same at 62 West Wallaby Street, where the duo lives in a squat brick house.
—Manohla Dargis, New York Times, 2 Jan. 2025
Powerlifting is a strength sport defined by three weight-lifting movements: the squat, deadlift, and bench press.
—Jakob Roze, Health, 5 Dec. 2024
Noun
In the candid clip, Bell can be seen struggling to pop a squat seemingly because of the waist-cinching structure of her strapless corset bustier.
—Michelle Lee, People.com, 7 Jan. 2025
If lifting weights at the gym isn't your thing, try exercises using resistance bands or using your own body weight, such as squats or push-ups.
Find out more about the many benefits of resistance training.
7.
—Andrea Muraskin, NPR, 31 Dec. 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 18 Jan. 2025.
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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