grate

1 of 3

noun

ˈgrāt 

1

: grating sense 2

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

: fireplace

3

obsolete : cage, prison

grate

2 of 3

verb (1)

grated; grating

transitive verb

: to furnish with a grate

The lower windows were grated.

grate

3 of 3

verb (2)

grated; grating

transitive verb

1

: to reduce to small particles by rubbing on something rough

grate cheese

2

: fret, irritate

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

intransitive verb

1

: to rub or rasp noisily

metal grating against metal

2

: to cause irritation : jar

a voice that grates on the nerves

grater noun

gratingly

ˈgrā-tiŋ-lē 

adverb

Synonyms of grate

Verb (1)

• annoy
• bother
• irritate
• bug
• persecute

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

Noun

Coat the grates with the paste. —Daley Quinn, Southern Living, 15 Nov. 2025

In Grill mode, a bottom heating element heats the nonstick grill grate while the top coil and fan circulate the air. —Adam Campbell-Schmitt, Bon Appetit Magazine, 23 Oct. 2025

Verb

And though Billy Bob Thornton and Ali Larter's dysfunctional love story still grates, corporate drama and spikes of heart drive the Paramount+ series. —Ew Staff November 14, Entertainment Weekly, 14 Nov. 2025

Visually, the red onions and microgreens create a striking purple-and-green contrast, while the flavors of onions, mushrooms and freshly grated Parmesan complement each other perfectly. —Tristan Graziano, Charlotte Observer, 13 Nov. 2025

Word History

Etymology

Noun and Verb (1)

Middle English, from Medieval Latin crata, grata hurdle, alteration of Latin cratis — more at hurdle

Verb (2)

Middle English, from Anglo-French grater to scratch, of Germanic origin; akin to Old High German krazzōn to scratch

First Known Use

Noun

14th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1a

Verb (1)

1547, in the meaning defined above

Verb (2)

14th century, in the meaning defined at transitive sense 1

Rhymes for grate

• ate
• bait
• bate
• cate
• crate
• date
• eight
• fait
• fate
• fete
• frate
• freight

Kids Definition

grate

1 of 2 noun

ˈgrāt 

1

: grating sense 1

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