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
Susan Selasky, Freep.com, 4 July 2025
When set to high with its sear burner opened up all the way, my laser thermometer, which tops out at 1000°F gave me an error message trying to get a reading on the cast-iron grates.
—Noah Kaufman, Bon Appetit Magazine, 3 July 2025
Daniel Dockery, Vulture, 7 July 2025
Removing residue from the grill grates is essential to quality grilling experiences throughout the season, but our experts warn against stopping with the grates alone.
—Taylor Tobin, Southern Living, 2 July 2025
See All Example Sentences for grate
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Noun
Put a disposable pan under the grill grate if using a charcoal grill.
—Susan Selasky, Freep.com, 4 July 2025
When set to high with its sear burner opened up all the way, my laser thermometer, which tops out at 1000°F gave me an error message trying to get a reading on the cast-iron grates.
—Noah Kaufman, Bon Appetit Magazine, 3 July 2025
Verb
The plethora of celebrity voice cameos can feel grating, and the plots tend to lose the local Arlen vibe that made the first few seasons so immediately identifiable.
—Daniel Dockery, Vulture, 7 July 2025
Removing residue from the grill grates is essential to quality grilling experiences throughout the season, but our experts warn against stopping with the grates alone.
—Taylor Tobin, Southern Living, 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 21 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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