1
a
: covered with or consisting of scales : scaly
b
: of, relating to, or being a stratified epithelium that consists at least in its outer layers of small scalelike cells
2
: resembling a scale or plate in structure
especially
: of, relating to, or being either the thin anterior upper portion of the temporal bone, the vertical portion of the frontal bone forming the forehead, or the curved expanded portion of the occipital bone behind the foramen magnum
Examples of squamous in a Sentence
a squamous plant bulb
Recent Examples on the Web
Cervical dysplasia on a Pap test is a squamous intraepithelial lesion (SIL).
—
Ann Pietrangelo, Verywell Health, 6 Sep. 2024
Eligible participants must identify as Black, be assigned female at birth or self-identify as women, not have a history of cancer (except basal or squamous skin cancer) and be between ages 25 and 55.
—Shana O. Ntiri, Baltimore Sun, 21 June 2024
Eligible participants must identify as Black, be assigned female at birth or identify as women, have no history of cancer (aside from common basal or squamous skin cancers) and be between the ages of 25 and 55.
—Roni Caryn Rabin, New York Times, 7 June 2024
Melanoma, for example, is more common among lighter skinned people, while squamous is more common among those with darker complexions.
—Beth Sobol, Allure, 29 Nov. 2023
See all Example Sentences for squamous 
Ann Pietrangelo, Verywell Health, 6 Sep. 2024
Eligible participants must identify as Black, be assigned female at birth or self-identify as women, not have a history of cancer (except basal or squamous skin cancer) and be between ages 25 and 55.
—Shana O. Ntiri, Baltimore Sun, 21 June 2024
Eligible participants must identify as Black, be assigned female at birth or identify as women, have no history of cancer (aside from common basal or squamous skin cancers) and be between the ages of 25 and 55.
—Roni Caryn Rabin, New York Times, 7 June 2024
Melanoma, for example, is more common among lighter skinned people, while squamous is more common among those with darker complexions.
—Beth Sobol, Allure, 29 Nov. 2023
See all Example Sentences for squamous
These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'squamous.' 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 squamous
Cite this Entry
“Squamous.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/squamous. Accessed 5 Nov. 2024.
Copy CitationKids Definition
squamous
adjective
squa·mous
ˈskwā-məs 
ˈskwä-
: of, relating to, or being an epithelium that consists at least in its outer layers of small flattened scalelike cells
Medical Definition
squamous
adjective
squa·mous
ˈskwā-məs
1
a
: covered with or consisting of scales
b
: of, relating to, or being a stratified epithelium that consists at least in its outer layers of small scalelike cells
The epidermis is a stratified squamous epithelium forming the barrier that excludes harmful microbes and retains body fluids.—Terry Lechler et al., Nature
Terry Lechler et al., Nature2
: resembling a scale or plate
especially
: of, relating to, or being the thin anterior upper portion of the temporal bone
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