1
2
a
: a barred frame for cooking over a fire
b
: a frame or bed of iron bars to hold a stove or furnace fire
c
grated; grating
: to furnish with a grate
the lower windows were grated
grated; grating
1
: to reduce to small particles by rubbing on something rough
grate cheese
3
a
: to gnash or grind noisily
b
: to cause to make a rasping sound
c
: to utter in a harsh voice
4
archaic
: abrade
1
: to rub or rasp noisily
metal grating against metal
2
: to cause irritation : jar
a voice that grates on the nerves
grater
noun
Examples of grate in a Sentence
Verb (1)
unintentionally or not, you say rude things that grate people
the sled grated along the bare pavement
he grated the pieces of metal together
Recent Examples on the Web
Terry Baddoo, USA Today, 13 Apr. 2025
The pit comes with a log grate, spark screen, fire poker and cover.
—Nora Colomer, FOXNews.com, 10 Apr. 2025
Christian Zilko, IndieWire, 23 Jan. 2025
Each one had a bar code and would be grated only after a work order had been placed.
—Dhruv Khullar, The New Yorker, 6 Jan. 2025
See All Example Sentences for grate
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Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors.
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Noun
Add a grate or screen to your sinks to trap hair and soap scum.
—Terry Baddoo, USA Today, 13 Apr. 2025
The pit comes with a log grate, spark screen, fire poker and cover.
—Nora Colomer, FOXNews.com, 10 Apr. 2025
Verb
Jared Rosenberg’s script would have worked almost as well as a stage play, as its real brilliance lies in its ability to generate endless amount of conflict by trapping three people who are uniquely qualified to grate on each other’s nerves in a room together.
—Christian Zilko, IndieWire, 23 Jan. 2025
Each one had a bar code and would be grated only after a work order had been placed.
—Dhruv Khullar, The New Yorker, 6 Jan. 2025
See All Example Sentences for grate
Cite this Entry
“Grate.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/grate. Accessed 18 Apr. 2025.
Copy CitationKids Definition
grate
1 of 2 noun1
2
: a frame of iron bars for holding burning fuel (as in a fireplace)
grate
2 of 2 verb
grated; grating
1
: to make into small particles by rubbing against something rough
grate cheese
2
: to grind or rub against something with a scratching noise
3
: to have a harsh or irritating effect
grater
noun
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