grist

noun

1
a
: grain or a batch of grain for grinding
b
: the product obtained from a grist of grain including the flour or meal and the grain offals
2
: a required or usual amount
3
: matter of interest or value forming the basis of a story or analysis
4
: something turned to advantage or use
used especially in the phrase grist for one's mill

Examples of grist in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web The manuscript’s notoriety—as history’s hardest puzzle; as grist for unhinged conspiracies—had for many years scared scholars away. Ariel Sabar, The Atlantic, 8 Aug. 2024 Not only do old plastic bottles provide better grist for the production of new plastic bottles—a fact that the soda industry is increasingly keen to take advantage of—but the fashion industry also needs to wrestle with its own leviathan end-of-life problem. Jasmin Malik Chua, Sourcing Journal, 3 Sep. 2019 The fundamental hesitation, however — and grist for plenty of Democratic angst — is whether Harris has a better chance of beating former President Trump than any other potential candidates. Julia Prodis Sulek, The Mercury News, 22 July 2024 Leaks of this sort are grist for the mill of a free press. Michael Walzer, Foreign Affairs, 13 Feb. 2018 See all Example Sentences for grist 

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

Word History

Etymology

Middle English, from Old English grīst; akin to Old English grindan to grind

First Known Use

before the 12th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1a

Time Traveler
The first known use of grist was before the 12th century

Dictionary Entries Near grist

Cite this Entry

“Grist.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/grist. Accessed 19 Aug. 2024.

Kids Definition

grist

noun
: grain to be ground or already ground

More from Merriam-Webster on grist

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