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
Synonyms
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
Michael Salerno, The Arizona Republic, 1 Aug. 2024
That said, there’s more to grilling than slapping a slab of meal on your grates, cranking up the burners, and waiting until your entree of choice has a few char marks.
—Kelsey Mulvey, Sunset Magazine, 20 June 2024
Windows are covered by grates or boarded up, evidence of a building under siege.
—Matthew Jacobs, Vulture, 13 Apr. 2024
If the vent is on the floor, just turn the grate toward the nearest wall for the same effect.
—Mary Cornetta, Better Homes & Gardens, 15 July 2024
See all Example Sentences for grate 
Noun
The grates could pose a safety risk if a dog's paws, nails or tail gets caught.
—Michael Salerno, The Arizona Republic, 1 Aug. 2024
That said, there’s more to grilling than slapping a slab of meal on your grates, cranking up the burners, and waiting until your entree of choice has a few char marks.
—Kelsey Mulvey, Sunset Magazine, 20 June 2024
Windows are covered by grates or boarded up, evidence of a building under siege.
—Matthew Jacobs, Vulture, 13 Apr. 2024
If the vent is on the floor, just turn the grate toward the nearest wall for the same effect.
—Mary Cornetta, Better Homes & Gardens, 15 July 2024
See all Example Sentences for grate
These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'grate.' 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 grate
Cite this Entry
“Grate.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/grate. Accessed 19 Aug. 2024.
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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