: a small missile that contains an explosive or a chemical agent (such as tear gas, a flame producer, or a smoke producer) and that is thrown by hand or projected (as by a rifle or special launcher)

Examples of grenade in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
Joseph Henrichsen had an AR-15-style rifle and knives and claimed to have grenades, according to Brian Tosh, FBI acting special agent in charge. Emma Tucker, CNN Money, 18 July 2026 At the time, Joseph Henrichsen had an AR-15 and claimed to have grenades, Tosh said. Marlene Lenthang, NBC news, 17 July 2026 For Perreault, the historic grenade was a far cry from his usual finds. Ashley Vega, PEOPLE, 16 July 2026 Saar took a smiling mammy figure and replaced the pencil a Black housekeeper would have used for her client’s grocery list with a rifle and grenade. Tara Anne Dalbow, Los Angeles Times, 15 July 2026 See All Example Sentences for grenade

Word History

Etymology

Middle French, literally, pomegranate, from Late Latin granata, from Latin, feminine of granatus seedy, from granum grain — more at corn

First Known Use

1591, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of grenade was in 1591

Browse Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Grenade.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/grenade. Accessed 24 Jul. 2026.

Kids Definition

: a small bomb that is thrown by hand or launched (as by a rifle)
Etymology

from early French grenade, granade "pomegranate, grenade," from Latin granata "pomegranate," derived from Latin granatus "seedy," from granum "grain, seed" — related to garnet, grain, pomegranate see Word History at garnet

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