grindstone

noun

grind·​stone ˈgrīn(d)-ˌstōn 

1

: millstone sense 1

2

: a flat circular stone of natural sandstone that revolves on an axle and is used for grinding, shaping, or smoothing

Illustration of grindstone

• grindstone 2

Examples of grindstone in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

Those born under the sign are also not afraid to put their nose to the grindstone. — Olivia Munson, USA Today, 20 Dec. 2025

A lot of people were struggling here and my team just kept their head to the grindstone and got the job done. — Lydia Mee, MSNBC Newsweek, 4 July 2025

Artemis 2 has come home, but NASA still has its nose to the lunar grindstone. — Anthony Wood, Space.com, 13 Apr. 2026

This year was about seeking out new life experiences, removing her nose from the lyrical grindstone. — Audrey Gibbs, Nashville Tennessean, 16 Dec. 2025

Word History

First Known Use

13th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Phrases Containing grindstone

• keep one's nose to the grindstone
• one's nose is to the grindstone

Rhymes for grindstone

• alone
• atone
• backbone
• bemoan
• bluestone
• breastbone
• brownstone
• capstone
• cheekbone
• condone
• curbstone
• cyclone

Kids Definition

grindstone

noun

grind·​stone ˈgrīn-ˌstōn 

: a stone disk that turns on an axle and is used for grinding or sharpening