Quarters
ˈkwɔːrtərz
Definitions
5 meaningsA place of lodging or residence, especially assigned to a specific group, such as military personnel or a ship's crew.
ˈkwɔːrtərz
A place of residence, especially for military personnel.
The soldiers returned to their quarters after the training exercise.
💡 Simply: Imagine a hotel room, but for soldiers or sailors! Their 'quarters' is where they eat, sleep, and relax.
👶 For kids: A place where people live or stay, like a house or an apartment, but it's often used for where soldiers or sailors live.
More Examples
She inspected the ship's quarters for cleanliness.
The hotel offers luxurious quarters for its guests.
How It's Used
"The soldiers were assigned to their quarters after the long march."
"The officers had separate quarters from the enlisted men."
One of four equal parts of a whole.
ˈkwɔːrtərz
One of four equal parts of something.
The pizza was cut into four quarters.
💡 Simply: Like cutting a cake into four equal pieces. Each piece is a 'quarter'.
👶 For kids: Imagine cutting a cake into 4 equal parts! Each part is a quarter!
More Examples
We need to divide the work into quarters.
The financial report covers the last quarter of the year.
How It's Used
"Divide the pizza into quarters."
"The company announced its financial results for the last quarter."
Coins, especially a US coin worth 25 cents.
ˈkwɔːrtərz
Coins, especially United States coins, each worth a quarter of a dollar.
I need some quarters for the vending machine.
💡 Simply: Those shiny coins worth 25 cents! You might need them for the arcade or a parking meter.
👶 For kids: A quarter is a coin worth 25 cents. It’s used to pay for things!
More Examples
Can you give me change for a dollar in quarters?
He saved up a lot of quarters in his piggy bank.
How It's Used
"I need some quarters for the laundry machine."
"The vending machine accepts quarters."
Mercy or clemency, especially in war; the act of sparing the life of a defeated enemy.
ˈkwɔːrtərz
Mercy or clemency shown to a defeated enemy.
The general ordered his troops to give no quarters.
💡 Simply: In a battle, if you 'give quarters', you're showing mercy to the people who lose. It’s like saying, 'I won't hurt you anymore.'
👶 For kids: In a fight, if you give quarters, you decide not to hurt the person who lost.
More Examples
The enemy was granted quarters after the surrender.
The soldiers fought bravely, but they knew they wouldn't get quarters if they lost.
How It's Used
"The soldiers asked for no quarters after the battle."
"The enemy refused to give quarters to the captured soldiers."
A section, area, or a division, or period of time.
ˈkwɔːrtərz
A specific area or part.
The football game is divided into four quarters.
💡 Simply: Think of something that’s broken into four parts, or a part of something.
👶 For kids: A part of something that is divided into four parts.
More Examples
The city has several distinct quarters.
The moon passes through its various quarters.
How It's Used
"The basketball game had four quarters."
"The moon goes through different quarters."
Synonyms
Accommodations
Barracks
Fourth
Portion
Coin
Currency
Mercy
Pardon
District
Period
Phase
Idioms & expressions
no quarter
To show no mercy or clemency.
"The opposing team showed no quarter and played aggressively."
in quarters
To be lodged or housed.
"The soldiers lived in cramped quarters."
From Middle English *quarter* (plural *quarters*), from Old French *quartier* ('a quarter, a region'), from Latin *quartarius* ('a fourth part'), from *quartus* ('fourth').
The term 'quarters' has been used since the 13th century, originating in military contexts for the assigned lodging of soldiers, as well as the division of time or areas.
Memory tip
Think of where soldiers live - they have their own quarters to sleep and eat.