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¹square

noun \ˈskwer\

: a four-sided shape that is made up of four straight sides that are the same length and that has four right angles

: any of the squares on a board for playing games (such as chess and checkers)

mathematics : the number that results from multiplying a number by itself

Full Definition of SQUARE

: an instrument having at least one right angle and two straight edges used especially to lay out or test right angles

: a rectangle with all four sides equal

: any of the quadrilateral spaces marked out on a board for playing games

: the product of a number multiplied by itself

a : an open place or area formed at the meeting of two or more streets

b : block 6a

: a solid object or piece approximating a cube or having a square as its largest face

: an unopened cotton flower with its enclosing bracts

: a person who is conventional or conservative in taste or way of life

: a square meal <ate three squares a day>

— on the square

: at right angles

: in a fair open manner : honestly

— out of square

: not at an exact right angle

See square defined for English-language learners

See square defined for kids

Origin of SQUARE

Middle English, from Anglo-French esquarre, from Vulgar Latin *exquadra, from *exquadrare to square, from Latin ex- + quadrare to square — more at quadrate

First Known Use: 13th century

Other Mathematics and Statistics Terms

abscissa, denominator, divisor, equilateral, exponent, hypotenuse, logarithm, oblique, radii, rhomb

Rhymes with SQUARE

air, Ayr, bare, bear, Blair, blare, care, chair, chare, dare, Dare, e'er, ere, err, eyre, fair, fare, flair, flare, glair, glare, hair, hare, Herr, heir, lair, mare, ne'er, pair, pare, pear, prayer, rare, rear, scare, share, snare, spare, stair, stare, swear, tare, tear, their, there, vair, ware, wear, weir, where, yare

²square

adjective

: shaped like a square : having four straight sides that are the same length and four right angles at each corner

: forming a right angle

: shaped more like a right angle than a curve

squar·ersquar·est

Full Definition of SQUARE

a : having four equal sides and four right angles

b : forming a right angle <square corner>

c : having a square base <a square pyramid>

: raised to the second power

a : being approximately a cube <square cabinet>

b : having a shape that is broad for the height and rectangular rather than curving in outline <square shoulders> <a square, thick, hard-working man — Maria Edgeworth>

c : rectangular and equilateral in section <square tower>

a : being or converted to a unit of area equal in measure to a square each side of which measures one unit of a specified unit of length <a square foot> — see metric system table, weight table

b : being of a specified length in each of two equal dimensions <10 feet square>

a : exactly adjusted : precisely constructed or aligned

b : just, fair <a square deal> <square in all his dealings>

c : leaving no balance : settled

d : even, tied

e : substantial, satisfying <square meal>

f : being unsophisticated, conservative, or conventional

: set at right angles with the mast and keel —used of the yards of a square-rigged ship

— square·ness noun

See square defined for English-language learners

First Known Use of SQUARE

14th century

Related to SQUARE

Synonyms: foursquare, quadrate

Antonyms: biased, ex parte, inequitable, nonobjective, one-sided, partial, parti pris, partisan, prejudiced, unjust

Other Mathematics and Statistics Terms

abscissa, denominator, divisor, equilateral, exponent, hypotenuse, logarithm, oblique, radii, rhomb

³square

verb

: to make (something) square : to give (something) straight edges, flat surfaces, or sharp, even corners

mathematics : to multiply (a number) by itself

: to pay money that is owed for (something)

squaredsquar·ing

Full Definition of SQUARE

transitive verb

a : to make square or rectangular <square a building stone>

b : to test for deviation from a right angle, straight line, or plane surface

: to bring approximately to a right angle <squared his shoulders>

a : to multiply (a number) by itself : raise to the second power

b : to find a square equal in area to <square a circle>

: to regulate or adjust by or to some standard or principle <square our actions by the opinions of others — John Milton>

a : balance, settle <square an account>

b : to even the score of

: to mark off into squares

a : to set right : bring into agreement <squared their goals with their beliefs>

b : bribe, fix

intransitive verb

: to agree precisely : correspond <your actions should square with your words>

: to settle matters; especially : to pay the bill

— squar·er noun

See square defined for English-language learners

First Known Use of SQUARE

14th century

Related to SQUARE

Synonyms: accord, agree, answer, chord, cohere, coincide, comport, conform, consist, correspond, dovetail, fit, go, harmonize, jibe, rhyme (also rime), sort, check, tally

Antonyms: differ (from), disagree (with)

⁴square

adverb

: in a direct way

Full Definition of SQUARE

: in a straightforward or honest manner

a : so as to face or be face-to-face

b : at right angles

: with nothing intervening : directly <ran square into it>

: in a firm manner <looked her square in the eye>

: in a square shape

See square defined for English-language learners

First Known Use of SQUARE

circa 1582

SQUARES Defined for Kids

¹square

noun \ˈskwer\

Definition of SQUARE for Kids

: a flat geometric figure that has four equal sides and four right angles

: something formed with four equal or roughly equal sides and four right angles <the squares of a checkerboard>

: the product of a number or amount multiplied by itself

: an open place or area where two or more streets meet

: a tool having at least one right angle and two or more straight edges used to mark or test right angles <a carpenter's square>

²square

adjective

squar·ersquar·est

Definition of SQUARE for Kids

: having four equal sides and four right angles <a square room>

: being a unit of area consisting of a figure with four right angles and four sides of a given length <a square meter>

: having a specified length in each of two equal dimensions <The room is ten feet square.>

: having outlines that suggest sharp corners rather than curves <a square jaw>

: forming a right angle <a square corner>

: ¹just 4, fair <a square deal>

: not owing anything : even <I paid you back so we're square.>

: large enough to satisfy <a square meal>

— square·ly adverb

³square

verb

squaredsquar·ing

Definition of SQUARE for Kids

: to form with right angles, straight edges, and flat surfaces <I need to square off the boards.>

: to make straight <I sat before the boss and squared my shoulders.>

: to multiply a number by itself

: agree 4 <Your story does not square with the facts.>

: ¹settle 11 <Let's square our accounts.>

⁴square

adverb

Definition of SQUARE for Kids

: in a direct, firm, or honest way <She won fair and square.> <He looked me square in the eye.>

Medical Dictionary

square

adjective \ˈskwa(ə)r, ˈskwe(ə)r\

Medical Definition of SQUARE

: being or converted to a unit of area equal in measure to a square each side of which measures one unit of a specified unit of length <a square foot>