1
2
a
: a barred frame for cooking over a fire
b
: a frame or bed of iron bars to hold a stove or furnace fire
c
grated; grating
: to furnish with a grate
the lower windows were grated
grated; grating
1
: to reduce to small particles by rubbing on something rough
grate cheese
3
a
: to gnash or grind noisily
b
: to cause to make a rasping sound
c
: to utter in a harsh voice
4
archaic
: abrade
1
: to rub or rasp noisily
metal grating against metal
2
: to cause irritation : jar
a voice that grates on the nerves
grater
noun
Examples of grate in a Sentence
Verb (1)
unintentionally or not, you say rude things that grate people
the sled grated along the bare pavement
he grated the pieces of metal together
Recent Examples on the Web
Bon Appétit, Bon Appetit Magazine, 18 July 2025
The grill comes with an extra grate with a hole in the middle of it for using a wok.
—Susan Selasky, Freep.com, 17 July 2025
Janine Henni, People.com, 15 July 2025
And here’s the story, courtesy of a nudge from Snell, who by sheer serendipity soon after that initial email was offered two seats immediately behind the delightful source of a noise that gratifies some and grates others.
—Kansas City Star, 2 July 2025
See All Example Sentences for grate
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Noun
Burnt, sticky leftovers quite literally flew off the grates.
—Bon Appétit, Bon Appetit Magazine, 18 July 2025
The grill comes with an extra grate with a hole in the middle of it for using a wok.
—Susan Selasky, Freep.com, 17 July 2025
Verb
The former royal chef grated a Honeycrisp apple over the oats and added in blueberries and walnuts.
—Janine Henni, People.com, 15 July 2025
And here’s the story, courtesy of a nudge from Snell, who by sheer serendipity soon after that initial email was offered two seats immediately behind the delightful source of a noise that gratifies some and grates others.
—Kansas City Star, 2 July 2025
See All Example Sentences for grate
Cite this Entry
“Grate.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/grate. Accessed 31 Jul. 2025.
Copy CitationKids Definition
grate
1 of 2 noun1
2
: a frame of iron bars for holding burning fuel (as in a fireplace)
grate
2 of 2 verb
grated; grating
1
: to make into small particles by rubbing against something rough
grate cheese
2
: to grind or rub against something with a scratching noise
3
: to have a harsh or irritating effect
grater
noun
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