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gram

noun (1)
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\ ˈgram How to pronounce gram (audio) \

Definition of gram

 (Entry 1 of 5)

: any of several leguminous plants (such as a chickpea) grown especially for their seed also : their seeds

gram

noun (2)
\ ˈgram How to pronounce gram (audio) \

Definition of gram (Entry 2 of 5)

1 : a metric unit of mass equal to ¹/₁₀₀₀ kilogram and nearly equal to the mass of one cubic centimeter of water at its maximum density — see Metric System Table
2 : the weight of a gram under the acceleration of gravity

gram

noun (3)

Definition of gram (Entry 3 of 5)

: grandmother

gram

abbreviation

Definition of gram (Entry 4 of 5)

grammar; grammatical

-gram

noun combining form

Definition of -gram (Entry 5 of 5)

: drawing : writing : record chronogram telegram

First Known Use of gram

Noun (1)

1702, in the meaning defined above

Noun (2)

1810, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Noun (3)

1923, in the meaning defined above

History and Etymology for gram

Noun (1)

obsolete Portuguese (now spelled grão), grain, from Latin granum

Noun (2)

French gramme, from Late Latin gramma, a small weight, from Greek grammat-, gramma letter, writing, a small weight, from graphein to write — more at carve

Noun (3)

by shortening & alteration

Noun combining form

Latin -gramma, from Greek, from gramma

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Cite this Entry

“Gram.” The Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster Inc., https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/gram. Accessed 22 January 2020.

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More Definitions for gram

gram

noun
\ ˈgram How to pronounce gram (audio) \

Kids Definition of gram

: a unit of mass in the metric system equal to 1/1000 kilogram

-gram

noun suffix
\ ˌgram \

Kids Definition of -gram

: drawing : writing : record telegram

gram

noun
variants: or chiefly British gramme \ ˈgram How to pronounce gramme (audio) \

Medical Definition of gram

1 : a metric unit of mass equal to ¹/₁₀₀₀ kilogram and nearly equal to the mass of one cubic centimeter of water at its maximum density —abbreviation g
2 : the weight of a gram under standard gravity

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More from Merriam-Webster on gram

Rhyming Dictionary: Words that rhyme with gram

Spanish Central: Translation of gram

Nglish: Translation of gram for Spanish Speakers

Britannica English: Translation of gram for Arabic Speakers

Britannica.com: Encyclopedia article about gram

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