close quarters

plural noun

: immediate contact or close range
fought at close quarters

Examples of close quarters in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web There’s a mirthful sparkle to the crowd, guests and crew alike, made even more apparent by our close quarters on the train. Matt Ortile, Condé Nast Traveler, 8 Aug. 2024 Brian Boitano — the gold medal figure skater who competed at the 1984, 1988 and 1994 Games — recently told NBC News that the close quarters fostered immediate social bonds. Daniel Arkin, NBC News, 29 July 2024 The band usually works in close quarters, rehearsing in a shed in Tate’s backyard. Christopher Arnott, Hartford Courant, 19 Feb. 2024 The Kumbh Mela is an important festival that, on certain days, draws millions of pilgrims who crowd in close quarters on the banks of the sacred river. Mandakini Gahlot, Foreign Affairs, 28 Apr. 2021 See all Example Sentences for close quarters 

These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'close quarters.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.

Word History

First Known Use

1809, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of close quarters was in 1809

Dictionary Entries Near close quarters

Cite this Entry

“Close quarters.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/close%20quarters. Accessed 18 Aug. 2024.

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
Love words? Need even more definitions?

Subscribe to America's largest dictionary and get thousands more definitions and advanced search—ad free!