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
Kaitlyn Huamani, Los Angeles Times, 14 June 2025
High-quality grates are cast iron with a ceramic coating, which is good at retaining heat and easy to clean, but heavy, and the ceramic can chip.
—Bestreviews, Chicago Tribune, 23 May 2025
Ann Taylor Pittman, Southern Living, 13 June 2025
Nothing, perhaps, has grated more than last month’s Oval Office dressing-down of South African President Cyril Ramaphosa.
—Ned Temko, Christian Science Monitor, 12 June 2025
See All Example Sentences for grate
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Noun
But on Thursday they were treated to mostly metal grates.
—Kaitlyn Huamani, Los Angeles Times, 14 June 2025
High-quality grates are cast iron with a ceramic coating, which is good at retaining heat and easy to clean, but heavy, and the ceramic can chip.
—Bestreviews, Chicago Tribune, 23 May 2025
Verb
For the best flavor and texture, grate the Parmesan from a block.
—Ann Taylor Pittman, Southern Living, 13 June 2025
Nothing, perhaps, has grated more than last month’s Oval Office dressing-down of South African President Cyril Ramaphosa.
—Ned Temko, Christian Science Monitor, 12 June 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 30 Jun. 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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