gram

1 of 5

noun (1)

ˈgram 

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

also : their seeds

gram

2 of 5

noun (2)

ˈgram 

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

3 of 5

noun (3)

: grandmother

gram

4 of 5

abbreviation

grammar; grammatical

-gram

5 of 5

noun combining form

: drawing : writing : record

chronogram

telegram

Examples of gram in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

Noun

In the study, consuming 65 grams (g) of pumpkin seeds for three days led to significant reductions in post-meal blood sugar levels. — Brittany Lubeck, Verywell Health, 28 Oct. 2026

Research led by Penn State University and San Diego State University shows that eating 50 grams of prunes daily prevents the loss of total hip bone mineral density over six to 12 months. — Cheryl Fenton, Flow Space, 27 Oct. 2026

Davis, however, questioned the relevance of Volkheimer’s work, noting the German, who died in 2021, fed his animal subjects between 100 and 200 grams of PVC daily. — Susanne Rust follow, Los Angeles Times, 26 Oct. 2026

Fill a tub with cold water and roughly 50 grams of Epsom salts, then let your sheets soak overnight. — Abby Monteil, The Spruce, 26 Oct. 2026

Word History

Etymology

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

First Known Use

Noun (1)

1702, in the meaning defined above

Noun (2)

1797, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Noun (3)

1923, in the meaning defined above

Phrases Containing gram

• centimeter-gram-second
• gram-atomic weight
• gram calorie
• gram equivalent
• gram molecular weight
• gram-negative
• gram-positive
• gram-variable

Rhymes for gram

• am
• bam
• cham
• clam
• damme
• damn
• abraham
• anagram
• cablegram
• cofferdam
• dendrogram
• diagram

Kids Definition

gram

1 of 2 noun

ˈgram

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

2

: the weight of a gram of mass

-gram

2 of 2 noun combining form

ˌgram

: drawing : writing : record

telegram

Etymology

Noun combining form

from Latin -gramma "piece of writing, record," derived from Greek gramma "letter," derived from graphein "to write" — related to graffito, grammar, -graph

Medical Definition

gram

noun

variants or chiefly British gramme

ˈgram 

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