squashed; squashing; squashes
1
: to press or beat into a pulp or a flat mass : crush
1
: to flatten out under pressure or impact
2
: to proceed with a splashing or squelching sound
squash through the mud
squasher
noun
1
obsolete
: something soft and easily crushed
specifically
: an unripe pod of peas
2
: the sudden fall of a heavy soft body or the sound of such a fall
3
4
: a crushed mass
5
British
: sweetened citrus fruit juice often served with added soda water
6
: a singles or doubles game played in a 4-wall court with a long-handled racket and a rubber ball that can be hit off any number of walls
plural squashes or squash
: any of various fruits of plants (genus Cucurbita) of the gourd family widely cultivated as vegetables
also
: a plant and especially a vine that bears squashes compare summer squash, winter squash
Synonyms
Examples of squash in a Sentence
Verb
He squashed his nose against the window.
His poor performance squashed any hope he had of a promotion.
The boss squashed my idea immediately.
Someone had squashed all the ribbons together in one box.
Recent Examples on the Web
Buddha Lo, Peoplemag, 16 May 2024
Critics say a vague definition of civil disturbances will allow cops to squash protests.
—USA TODAY, 15 May 2024
According to a flyer for the farm's Harvest Share program, early season picks typically include strawberries and greens, mid-season brings tomatoes, beans and squash, and cooler weather later in the season brings broccoli, fall squash and root vegetables.
—Connor Giffin, The Courier-Journal, 13 May 2024
He’s chosen to remain Switzerland and Sweden to the nonsense, leaving it up to the parties involved to squash things.
—Angel Diaz, Billboard, 13 May 2024
The governor has faced pressure from across the political spectrum — and across the country — to not squash community solar.
—Sammy Roth, Los Angeles Times, 9 May 2024
The Federal Trade Commission and more than 40 states have accused Facebook of buying up its rivals, particularly Instagram in 2012 and WhatsApp two years later, to illegally squash competition that could have one day challenged the company’s dominance.
—Tripp Mickle, New York Times, 8 May 2024
Then, her co-hosts make an attempt to squash the beef once and for all.
—Shania Russell, EW.com, 5 May 2024
This lightened pasta is heavy on fresh taste thanks to tomatoes and squash that are in season.
—Mary Shannon Wells, Southern Living, 16 Apr. 2024
Gege Reed, The Courier-Journal, 7 May 2024
What to plant now: - From seed: cucumber, squash (winter and summer), pumpkins, melon, carrots, radishes, beans, cilantro.
—Nan Sterman, San Diego Union-Tribune, 4 May 2024
However, some steamed or boiled vegetables are fine, including carrots, squash, zucchini, asparagus tips, and even mushrooms.
—Stephen C. George, Discover Magazine, 18 Apr. 2024
Add squash, carrots and parsnips to Dutch oven, and reduce heat to medium; cook, stirring occasionally, until squash is browned on edges, 3 to 5 minutes.
—Sabrina Weiss, Peoplemag, 14 Apr. 2024
Flowers, herbs and vegetables, including cucumbers, eggplant, peppers, squash, and tomatoes.
—Journal Sentinel, 8 Apr. 2024
Start cucumbers, squash, pumpkins and melons in large pots now for transplant in a few weeks, or seed them directly in the ground toward the end of the month.
—Nan Sterman, San Diego Union-Tribune, 6 Apr. 2024
The court can also be used for sports such as squash or racketball.
—Rachel Cormack, Robb Report, 9 Apr. 2024
Alternatively, plant three cucumber plants or one squash plant or five cilantro plants.
—Nan Sterman, San Diego Union-Tribune, 6 Apr. 2024
Verb
But the judges were most impressed with Savannah's dish: squash and maple jelly cake with aronia berries, grapes and plum jelly that was completely new to them.
—Buddha Lo, Peoplemag, 16 May 2024
Critics say a vague definition of civil disturbances will allow cops to squash protests.
—USA TODAY, 15 May 2024
According to a flyer for the farm's Harvest Share program, early season picks typically include strawberries and greens, mid-season brings tomatoes, beans and squash, and cooler weather later in the season brings broccoli, fall squash and root vegetables.
—Connor Giffin, The Courier-Journal, 13 May 2024
He’s chosen to remain Switzerland and Sweden to the nonsense, leaving it up to the parties involved to squash things.
—Angel Diaz, Billboard, 13 May 2024
The governor has faced pressure from across the political spectrum — and across the country — to not squash community solar.
—Sammy Roth, Los Angeles Times, 9 May 2024
The Federal Trade Commission and more than 40 states have accused Facebook of buying up its rivals, particularly Instagram in 2012 and WhatsApp two years later, to illegally squash competition that could have one day challenged the company’s dominance.
—Tripp Mickle, New York Times, 8 May 2024
Then, her co-hosts make an attempt to squash the beef once and for all.
—Shania Russell, EW.com, 5 May 2024
This lightened pasta is heavy on fresh taste thanks to tomatoes and squash that are in season.
—Mary Shannon Wells, Southern Living, 16 Apr. 2024
Noun
As the season progresses, vendors will have peppers, tomatoes, watermelon, beets, radishes, squash, and wildflowers.
—Gege Reed, The Courier-Journal, 7 May 2024
What to plant now: - From seed: cucumber, squash (winter and summer), pumpkins, melon, carrots, radishes, beans, cilantro.
—Nan Sterman, San Diego Union-Tribune, 4 May 2024
However, some steamed or boiled vegetables are fine, including carrots, squash, zucchini, asparagus tips, and even mushrooms.
—Stephen C. George, Discover Magazine, 18 Apr. 2024
Add squash, carrots and parsnips to Dutch oven, and reduce heat to medium; cook, stirring occasionally, until squash is browned on edges, 3 to 5 minutes.
—Sabrina Weiss, Peoplemag, 14 Apr. 2024
Flowers, herbs and vegetables, including cucumbers, eggplant, peppers, squash, and tomatoes.
—Journal Sentinel, 8 Apr. 2024
Start cucumbers, squash, pumpkins and melons in large pots now for transplant in a few weeks, or seed them directly in the ground toward the end of the month.
—Nan Sterman, San Diego Union-Tribune, 6 Apr. 2024
The court can also be used for sports such as squash or racketball.
—Rachel Cormack, Robb Report, 9 Apr. 2024
Alternatively, plant three cucumber plants or one squash plant or five cilantro plants.
—Nan Sterman, San Diego Union-Tribune, 6 Apr. 2024
These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'squash.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.
Dictionary Entries Near squash
Cite this Entry
“Squash.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/squash. Accessed 19 May. 2024.
Copy CitationKids Definition
squash
2 of 3 noun1
: the sudden fall of a heavy soft body or the sound of such a fall
2
: a crushing sound
3
: a crushed mass
4
: a game played in a four-walled court with a racket and a rubber ball
squash
3 of 3 noun
plural squashes or squash
: any of various fruits of plants of the gourd family that are used especially as vegetables
also
: a plant and typically a vine that produces squashes
Etymology
Verb
from Middle English squachen "to crush, annul," from early French esquacher (same meaning)
Noun
a shortened and altered form of earlier isquoutersquash "the squash plant or fruit"; of Algonquian origin
Medical Definition
squash
noun
: a bit of tissue crushed between a slide and cover glass and stained in situ especially for cytological study of chromosomes
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