1
a
: a level of study in an elementary, middle, or secondary school that is completed by a student during one year
will enter eleventh grade this year
students in the second grade
b
: the students in the same year of study in elementary, middle, or secondary school
The ninth grade is away on a field trip.
c(1)
: a position in a scale of ranks or qualities
Each grade of steel contains sub-divisions corresponding to steels of different yield stress and impact requirements.—
G. D. Taylor
G. D. Taylor
(2)
: a stage in a process
… we should bear in mind that animals displaying early transitional grades of the structure will seldom continue to exist to the present day, for they will have been supplanted by the very process of perfection through natural selection.—Charles Darwin
Charles Darwin
d
: a degree of severity in illness
grade III carcinoma
e
: a military or naval rank
To be prepared for burial Claggart's body was delivered to certain petty-officers of his mess. And … the Master-at-arms was committed to the sea with every funeral honor properly belonging to his naval grade.—Herman Melville
Herman Melville… her father being a country clergyman who had never reached a higher grade than that of an archdeacon …—Anthony Trollope
Anthony Trollope2
a
: a mark indicating a degree of accomplishment in school
earned good grades in school
What was your grade on the math test?
b
: a class of things of the same stage or degree
c
: a standard of food quality
Extra-virgin is the highest grade of olive oil.—Lisa McManus
Lisa McManus3
a
: the degree of inclination of a road or slope
… one track went straight up the steep hill, the other one turned square off to the right, with a very slight grade.—Mark Twain
Mark Twain
also
: a sloping road
The car … toiled up the long, long grades, past Ash Fork, towards Flagstaff, where the forests and quarries are, under the dry, remote skies. —Rudyard Kipling
Rudyard Kipling
b
: a datum or reference level
especially
: ground level sense 1a
4
: a domestic animal with one parent purebred and the other of inferior breeding
5
[translation of German Stufe] linguistics
: any of the variants of a root or affix (distinguished by a particular vowel or the absence of any vowel) in the ablaut series of an Indo-European language
6
grades plural
: the elementary school system
graded; grading
1
a
: to assign to a grade or assign a grade to
… Mrs. Granger would be the one grading their spelling tests and their reading tests …—Andrew Clements
Andrew Clements… these students are being graded by the instructor whose methods or information they have reason to question.—Mary Lefkowitz
Mary Lefkowitz
b
: to arrange in grades : sort
Each printing plant sends sample copies of its press run to the color lab, where they are graded for quality.—Robert Neuwirth
Robert Neuwirth
c
: to arrange in a scale or series
2
: to level off to a smooth horizontal or sloping surface
The ground should be graded to direct water flow away from the home.—Consumer Reports
Consumer Reports1
a
: to form a series
b
: blend
Notice that the mud and the sand grade into each other along the sandbar.—Sheldon Judson and Marvin E. Kauffman
Sheldon Judson and Marvin E. Kauffman2
: to be of a particular grade
: being, involving, or yielding domestic animals of improved but not pure stock
grade ewes
grade breeding
: walking
plantigrade
Synonyms
Examples of grade in a Sentence
Noun
The fifth grade will perform their annual play this week.
a grade of 90 percent or better
Her grades are up this semester.
an expensive grade of leather
Verb
Students will be graded on their reading ability.
She hasn't finished grading the exams.
How would you grade your meal on a scale from one to five?
The eggs are graded according to size.
Recent Examples on the WebLauren Matison, San Diego Union-Tribune, 26 May 2024
In fifth grade, Nola dropped out of school to focus on gymnastics.
—Jason Mastrodonato, The Mercury News, 24 May 2024
The portal shows grades, progress reports and allows parents to email teachers.
—Lina Ruiz, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 23 May 2024
On top of existing vaccine requirements for school-age children, the new rule mandates the vaccine against meningitis, a disease affecting the brain and spinal cord, for students entering seventh grade and a booster dose for eligible students entering 12th grade, according to DHS.
—Sarah Volpenhein, Journal Sentinel, 21 May 2024
One third grade student is all in on hydroelectric power and has been working with his dad on designs.
—Erik S. Hanley, Journal Sentinel, 16 May 2024
Fort Lauderdale Dillard High and South Plantation High pair of zones: Sunland Park Academy, already at 91.7%, will have a grade reconfiguration and a boundary change.
—David J. Neal, Miami Herald, 12 May 2024
The discount is available to active classroom teachers from Pre-K through 12th grade, principals and assistant principals from Pre-K through 12th grade, school employees in schools from Pre-K through 12th grade, and college or university professors.
—Alison Fox, Travel + Leisure, 11 May 2024
Maya Rudolph credits Jack Black for getting her into improv in 8th grade
Rudolph says one major change between her stint on SNL, which lasted from 2000 to 2007, and today is the ready availability of sketches online.
—Maureen Lee Lenker, EW.com, 9 May 2024
Kwame Anthony Appiah, New York Times, 24 May 2024
On the one hand, the observatories are some of the biggest scientific instruments ever built by humans, with mirrors set up about 2 1/2 miles apart on land graded to take into account the natural curvature of the earth.
—Andre Mouchard, Orange County Register, 19 May 2024
The grading, sound restoration and mastering was done at the lab in Bologna.
—Naman Ramachandran, Variety, 18 May 2024
To the north, storm water management systems are being installed and grading is being done to prepare an area that will be used to store construction materials for the building before it, too, becomes a building site.
—Karl Ebert, Journal Sentinel, 14 May 2024
He was considered a bat-first prospect when he was drafted No. 2 overall by the Orioles in 2020, and Baseball America grades his speed and fielding tools as his two worst.
—Jacob Calvin Meyer, Baltimore Sun, 14 May 2024
The sale of the card was announced last week by CGC Cards, a certification and grading company for trading cards, video games, comics, and more.
—Ash Parrish, The Verge, 6 May 2024
Sabol received the start Sunday and graded out well framing strikes, Melvin said.
—Evan Webeck, The Mercury News, 6 May 2024
County commissioners in September issued a moratorium on fences more than 5 feet tall and grading of land to create such fences, but Harrison continued to build the fence.
—Elise Schmelzer, The Denver Post, 5 May 2024
Tatjana Freund and Nerisha Penrose, ELLE, 31 Mar. 2023
This pro-grade appliance isn’t WiFi compatible.
—Adria Greenhauff, Better Homes & Gardens, 8 Feb. 2023
What makes this pro-grade laptop special?
—PCMAG, 4 Jan. 2023
Those shopping for home appliances and smart gadgets can save up to 46% off Shark robot vacuums and air purifiers up to 55% off luggage from American Tourister and Samsonite; up to 52% off Ninja appliances and bakerware; 45% off Vitamix’s pro-grade 5200 blender; and more.
—Danielle Directo-Meston, The Hollywood Reporter, 28 Nov. 2022
It’s packed with pro-grade features, and it’s built to last.
—Jess Grey, Wired, 11 Oct. 2021
For her part, Ms. Bird draws a distinction between picture books that are read to children, and mid-grade books that children often choose themselves.
—Sophie Hills, The Christian Science Monitor, 28 Feb. 2023
The pro-grade controller, which touts back paddles and several other customizable features, was previously only available direct from Sony.
—Brandon Widder, The Verge, 24 Feb. 2023
Craft’s Men’s Endurance Trail Running Shoe is a pro-grade model with a full, lightweight Px Foam midsole.
—Men's Health, 21 Feb. 2023
Noun
Active military or veterans and people with permanent disabilities are eligible for a free lifetime pass; fourth grade students may receive a free annual pass; and senior citizens may purchase a $20 annual pass or pay $80 for a lifetime pass.
—Lauren Matison, San Diego Union-Tribune, 26 May 2024
In fifth grade, Nola dropped out of school to focus on gymnastics.
—Jason Mastrodonato, The Mercury News, 24 May 2024
The portal shows grades, progress reports and allows parents to email teachers.
—Lina Ruiz, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 23 May 2024
On top of existing vaccine requirements for school-age children, the new rule mandates the vaccine against meningitis, a disease affecting the brain and spinal cord, for students entering seventh grade and a booster dose for eligible students entering 12th grade, according to DHS.
—Sarah Volpenhein, Journal Sentinel, 21 May 2024
One third grade student is all in on hydroelectric power and has been working with his dad on designs.
—Erik S. Hanley, Journal Sentinel, 16 May 2024
Fort Lauderdale Dillard High and South Plantation High pair of zones: Sunland Park Academy, already at 91.7%, will have a grade reconfiguration and a boundary change.
—David J. Neal, Miami Herald, 12 May 2024
The discount is available to active classroom teachers from Pre-K through 12th grade, principals and assistant principals from Pre-K through 12th grade, school employees in schools from Pre-K through 12th grade, and college or university professors.
—Alison Fox, Travel + Leisure, 11 May 2024
Maya Rudolph credits Jack Black for getting her into improv in 8th grade
Rudolph says one major change between her stint on SNL, which lasted from 2000 to 2007, and today is the ready availability of sketches online.
—Maureen Lee Lenker, EW.com, 9 May 2024
Verb
The papers are graded within minutes, and the teachers are able to transfer the A.I. grade into their roll book.
—Kwame Anthony Appiah, New York Times, 24 May 2024
On the one hand, the observatories are some of the biggest scientific instruments ever built by humans, with mirrors set up about 2 1/2 miles apart on land graded to take into account the natural curvature of the earth.
—Andre Mouchard, Orange County Register, 19 May 2024
The grading, sound restoration and mastering was done at the lab in Bologna.
—Naman Ramachandran, Variety, 18 May 2024
To the north, storm water management systems are being installed and grading is being done to prepare an area that will be used to store construction materials for the building before it, too, becomes a building site.
—Karl Ebert, Journal Sentinel, 14 May 2024
He was considered a bat-first prospect when he was drafted No. 2 overall by the Orioles in 2020, and Baseball America grades his speed and fielding tools as his two worst.
—Jacob Calvin Meyer, Baltimore Sun, 14 May 2024
The sale of the card was announced last week by CGC Cards, a certification and grading company for trading cards, video games, comics, and more.
—Ash Parrish, The Verge, 6 May 2024
Sabol received the start Sunday and graded out well framing strikes, Melvin said.
—Evan Webeck, The Mercury News, 6 May 2024
County commissioners in September issued a moratorium on fences more than 5 feet tall and grading of land to create such fences, but Harrison continued to build the fence.
—Elise Schmelzer, The Denver Post, 5 May 2024
Adjective
The at-home versions of their kits match the pro-grade options.
—Tatjana Freund and Nerisha Penrose, ELLE, 31 Mar. 2023
This pro-grade appliance isn’t WiFi compatible.
—Adria Greenhauff, Better Homes & Gardens, 8 Feb. 2023
What makes this pro-grade laptop special?
—PCMAG, 4 Jan. 2023
Those shopping for home appliances and smart gadgets can save up to 46% off Shark robot vacuums and air purifiers up to 55% off luggage from American Tourister and Samsonite; up to 52% off Ninja appliances and bakerware; 45% off Vitamix’s pro-grade 5200 blender; and more.
—Danielle Directo-Meston, The Hollywood Reporter, 28 Nov. 2022
It’s packed with pro-grade features, and it’s built to last.
—Jess Grey, Wired, 11 Oct. 2021
For her part, Ms. Bird draws a distinction between picture books that are read to children, and mid-grade books that children often choose themselves.
—Sophie Hills, The Christian Science Monitor, 28 Feb. 2023
The pro-grade controller, which touts back paddles and several other customizable features, was previously only available direct from Sony.
—Brandon Widder, The Verge, 24 Feb. 2023
Craft’s Men’s Endurance Trail Running Shoe is a pro-grade model with a full, lightweight Px Foam midsole.
—Men's Health, 21 Feb. 2023
These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'grade.' 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 grade
Cite this Entry
“Grade.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/grade. Accessed 1 Jun. 2024.
Copy CitationKids Definition
grade
1 of 2 verb
graded; grading
1
: to arrange in grades : sort
grade apples
2
: to make level or evenly sloping
grade a highway
3
: to give a grade to
grade a student's performance
4
: to assign to a grade
5
: to form a series having only slight differences
colors that grade into one another
grade
2 of 2 noun1
: position in a scale of rank, quality, or order
the grade of sergeant
leather of the highest grade
2
: a stage, step, or degree in a series, order, or ranking
3
: a class of things that are of the same rank, quality, or order
4
a
: a division of the school course representing a year's work
finished the fourth grade
b
: the pupils in a school division
c
plural
: the elementary school system
teach in the grades
5
: a mark or rating especially of accomplishment in school
a grade of 90 on a test
6
: a standard of quality
government grades for meat
7
: the degree of slope (as of a road or railroad track)
Medical Definition
grade
noun
: a degree of severity of a disease or abnormal condition
a grade III carcinoma
Love words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
Share