Square Definition & Meaning | Britannica Dictionary

Square Definition & Meaning | Britannica Dictionary The Britannica Dictionary mobile search Home Ask the Editor Word of the Day Quizzes Core Vocabulary Browse the Dictionary × Britannica Homepage Ask the Editor Word of the Day Quizzes Core Vocabulary Browse the Dictionary The Britannica Dictionary square 11 ENTRIES FOUND: square (noun) square (adjective) square (verb) square (adverb) square bracket (noun) square dance (noun) square knot (noun) square meal (noun) square one (noun) square root (noun) peg (noun) 1 square /ˈskweɚ/ noun plural squares 1 square /ˈskweɚ/ noun plural squares Britannica Dictionary definition of SQUARE [count] 1  : a four-sided shape that is made up of four straight sides that are the same length and that has four right angles The fabric is decorated with circles and squares. Cut the brownies into squares. [+] more examples [-] hide examples [+] Example sentences [-] Hide examples — often + of a square of tile/cloth [+] more examples [-] hide examples [+] Example sentences [-] Hide examples — see picture at geometry; compare rectangle 2  : any of the squares on a board for playing games (such as chess and checkers) The board has red and black squares. [+] more examples [-] hide examples [+] Example sentences [-] Hide examples — see picture at chess 3  mathematics : the number that results from multiplying a number by itself The square of 2 [=2₂] is 4. [=2 x 2 = 4] [+] more examples [-] hide examples [+] Example sentences [-] Hide examples — compare 1cube2 4  : an open area in a village, city, etc., where two or more streets meet The bank is located at the main square. the market/town square [+] more examples [-] hide examples [+] Example sentences [-] Hide examples 5  somewhat old-fashioned, informal + disapproving : someone who does not like or try unusual things that other people consider exciting, interesting, etc. Don't be such a square. Let's try something different for a change. [+] more examples [-] hide examples [+] Example sentences [-] Hide examples 6  technical : a flat tool that is used to mark or check angles a carpenter's square [+] more examples [-] hide examples [+] Example sentences [-] Hide examples — see picture at carpentry; compare t square 7  chiefly US, informal : square meal I try to have three squares a day. [+] more examples [-] hide examples [+] Example sentences [-] Hide examples 2 square /ˈskweɚ/ adjective squarer; squarest 2 square /ˈskweɚ/ adjective squarer; squarest Britannica Dictionary definition of SQUARE [also more square; most square] 1  a  : shaped like a square : having four straight sides that are the same length and four right angles at each corner The room is square. a square box [+] more examples [-] hide examples [+] Example sentences [-] Hide examples b  : forming a right angle The room has four square corners. Make sure the post is square to the floor. [=make sure that there is a right angle where the post and the floor meet] [+] more examples [-] hide examples [+] Example sentences [-] Hide examples 2  — used to describe a measurement that is produced by multiplying something's length and width a tile measuring one square foot [=a tile that is one foot long and one foot wide] a square inch/meter/mile [+] more examples [-] hide examples [+] Example sentences [-] Hide examples — compare cubic 3  : shaped more like a right angle than a curve a square jaw square shoulders [+] more examples [-] hide examples [+] Example sentences [-] Hide examples ◊ This sense of square often suggests strength and toughness. 4  somewhat old-fashioned : honest and fair a square deal She is square in all her dealings. [+] more examples [-] hide examples [+] Example sentences [-] Hide examples — see also fair and square at 1fair 5  somewhat old-fashioned, informal + disapproving — used to describe someone who does not like or try unusual things that other people consider exciting, interesting, etc. He's nice but he's kind of square. [+] more examples [-] hide examples [+] Example sentences [-] Hide examples 6  a  informal : having nothing owed by either side : even Here's the rest of the money. Now we're square. [=now we don't owe each other anything] [+] more examples [-] hide examples [+] Example sentences [-] Hide examples b  not used before a noun : having the same number of points : tied The teams were all square after the first half. [+] more examples [-] hide examples [+] Example sentences [-] Hide examples a square peg in a round hole — see 1peg 3 square /ˈskweɚ/ verb squares; squared; squaring 3 square /ˈskweɚ/ verb squares; squared; squaring Britannica Dictionary definition of SQUARE [+ object] 1  : to make (something) square : to give (something) straight edges, flat surfaces, or sharp, even corners The machine squares the wood into flat boards. [+] more examples [-] hide examples [+] Example sentences [-] Hide examples — often + off I still need to square off the end of the board. [+] more examples [-] hide examples [+] Example sentences [-] Hide examples 2  mathematics : to multiply (a number) by itself If you square 3, you get 9. [+] more examples [-] hide examples [+] Example sentences [-] Hide examples — usually used as (be) squared 3 squared is/equals 9. [=3 x 3 = 9] [+] more examples [-] hide examples [+] Example sentences [-] Hide examples — compare 2cube2 3  : to pay money that is owed for (something) We squared [=settled] our accounts. [+] more examples [-] hide examples [+] Example sentences [-] Hide examples — often + up Is this enough money to square up my part of the bill? [+] more examples [-] hide examples [+] Example sentences [-] Hide examples 4  : to make the score of (something, such as a game or series) the same : tie The goal squared the game 2–2. Their win squares the series at three games apiece. [+] more examples [-] hide examples [+] Example sentences [-] Hide examples square away [phrasal verb] square (something) away or square away (something) US : to put (something) in an organized and proper state or condition — often used as (be/get) squared away I need to get my work squared away [=taken care of] before I leave for vacation. I can finally relax since everything is squared away. [+] more examples [-] hide examples [+] Example sentences [-] Hide examples square off [phrasal verb] 1  a  : to prepare to fight : to get into the position of two people who are going to fight each other The two men squared off, but no punches were thrown. [+] more examples [-] hide examples [+] Example sentences [-] Hide examples b  : to fight or argue — often + against They squared off against each other in a heated debate. [+] more examples [-] hide examples [+] Example sentences [-] Hide examples 2  : to compete in a contest The two teams will square off again tomorrow. [+] more examples [-] hide examples [+] Example sentences [-] Hide examples — often + against They squared off against each other in the election. [+] more examples [-] hide examples [+] Example sentences [-] Hide examples — see also 3square 1 (above) square up [phrasal verb] 1  : to turn so that you are facing something or someone directly She squared up (with/to the basket) for a three-point shot. They squared up for a fight. [=they faced each other and prepared to fight] [+] more examples [-] hide examples [+] Example sentences [-] Hide examples — see also 3square 3 (above) 2  square up to (someone or something) : to begin to deal with (a difficult person or situation) in a direct way We need to square up to this problem. He's finally squaring up to his critics. [+] more examples [-] hide examples [+] Example sentences [-] Hide examples square with [phrasal verb] 1  square with (something) : to agree with (something) Your story doesn't square with the facts. [+] more examples [-] hide examples [+] Example sentences [-] Hide examples 2  square (something) with (something) : to make (something) agree with (something) How can they square what they've done with what they've said? [+] more examples [-] hide examples [+] Example sentences [-] Hide examples 3  square (something) with (someone) : to get agreement about or approval of (something) from (someone) I'll go on the trip if I can square it with my parents. [=if my parents will agree to let me go] [+] more examples [-] hide examples [+] Example sentences [-] Hide examples square yourself : to turn so that you are facing something or someone directly He squared himself and prepared for the hit. [+] more examples [-] hide examples [+] Example sentences [-] Hide examples square your shoulders : to stand with your shoulders pulled back in a straight line in a way that shows you are ready to do or deal with something directly She stood up straight and squared her shoulders. [+] more examples [-] hide examples [+] Example sentences [-] Hide examples 4 square /ˈskweɚ/ adverb 4 square /ˈskweɚ/ adverb Britannica Dictionary definition of SQUARE : in a direct way She ran square [=directly, right] into me. Look (at) me square in the eye and tell me you're not lying. [+] more examples [-] hide examples [+] Example sentences [-] Hide examples ASK THE EDITOR What are the plural forms of check-in, passerby, and spoonful? See the answer » QUIZZES Vocabulary Quiz Test your word power Take the Quiz » Name That Thing Take our visual quiz Test Your Knowledge » WORD OF THE DAY passive : used to describe someone who does not fight what other people do or decide Learn More » About Us & Legal Info Contact Us Privacy Notice Terms of Use Pronunciation Symbols Help d="M0 12c0 5.123 3.211 9.497 7.73 11.218-.11-.937-.227-2.482.025-3.566.217-.932 1.401-5.938 1.401-5.938s-.357-.715-.357-1.774c0-1.66.962-2.9 2.161-2.9 1.02 0 1.512.765 1.512 1.682 0 1.025-.653 2.557-.99 3.978-.281 1.189.597 2.159 1.769 2.159 2.123 0 3.756-2.239 3.756-5.471 0-2.861-2.056-4.86-4.991-4.86-3.398 0-5.393 2.549-5.393 5.184 0 1.027.395 2.127.889 2.726a.36.36 0 0 1 .083.343c-.091.378-.293 1.189-.332 1.355-.053.218-.173.265-.4.159-1.492-.694-2.424-2.875-2.424-4.627 0-3.769 2.737-7.229 7.892-7.229 4.144 0 7.365 2.953 7.365 6.899 0 4.117-2.595 7.431-6.199 7.431-1.211 0-2.348-.63-2.738-1.373 0 0-.599 2.282-.744 2.84-.282 1.084-1.064 2.456-1.549 3.235C9.584 23.815 10.77 24 12 24c6.627 0 12-5.373 12-12S18.627 0 12 0 0 5.373 0 12"> © 2026 Encyclopædia Britannica, Inc.