grating

noun grat·ing \ ˈgrā-tiŋ \

|Updated on: 18 Jul 2018

Definition of grating

1 : a wooden or metal lattice used to close or floor an opening

2 : a partition, covering, or frame of parallel bars or crossbars

3 : a system of close equidistant and parallel lines or bars ruled on a polished surface to produce spectra by diffraction

See grating defined for English-language learners

See grating defined for kids

Recent Examples of grating from the Web

For garnishes, a grating of lemon or lime zest on the honeydews or watermelons works nicely; a faint grinding of pink peppercorns on the Charentais draws out the flavors of the Port.

— aleksandra crapanzano, WSJ, "The 5-Minute Dessert of the Summer," 12 July 2018
The grating covering the tunnel was clear on Friday at 11 p.m., Elting said.

— emily bamforth, cleveland.com, "Clogged grating at construction site contributed to University Circle flooding," 18 Apr. 2018
Jandreau’s father, Tim, comfortably plays his grating but devoted dad.

— colin covert, kansascity, "In masterful ‘The Rider,’ a cowboy faces life outside the rodeo," 31 May 2018
There was cheese grating, roux making, onion chopping, vegetable prepping, side dish making.

— gordon edgar, Smithsonian, "A Brief History of America’s Appetite for Macaroni and Cheese," 30 May 2018
But to Roy, the grating, dismayed response from Trump’s detractors was further proof that America had strayed from the Founding Fathers’ vision for a decentralized government.

— jasper scherer, San Antonio Express-News, "Chip Roy’s plan to get Washington out of the way includes going there himself," 13 May 2018
There’s plenty of joking, camaraderie, and of course the occasional grating of nerves and clashing of personalities.

— joe pappalardo, Popular Mechanics, "Meet the Space Cowboys Launching Telescopes From the Middle of Nowhere," 12 Apr. 2018
Prospective buyers can bid on seven identical pieces of the original steel deck grating of the 60-year-old bridge on GovDeals.com.

— detroit free press staff, Detroit Free Press, "You can own a slice of the Mackinac Bridge," 12 Apr. 2018
The bridge’s deck, including the drawbridge’s metal grating, would be covered with concrete, creating a smoother ride and saving the city money on annual maintenance, according to AECOM, the engineering firm that produced the study.

— colin campbell, baltimoresun.com, "Study recommends $50 million long-term repair for Hanover Street Bridge, other updates," 11 Apr. 2018

These example sentences are selected automatically from various online news sources to reflect current usage of the word 'grating.' Views expressed in the examples do not represent the opinion of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.

First Known Use of grating

1622

in the meaning defined at sense 1

See Words from the same year

NEW! Time Traveler

Other Architecture Terms

buttress, casita, cornice, fanlight, garret, lintel, parapet, pilaster, plinth

GRATING Defined for English Language Learners

grating

noun

Definition of grating for English Language Learners

: a frame with bars across it that is used to cover an opening

GRATING Defined for Kids

grating

noun grat·ing \ ˈgrā-tiŋ \

Definition of grating for Students

: ²grate 1

Medical Dictionary

grating

noun grat·ing \ ˈgrāt-iŋ \

medical Definition of grating

: a system of close equidistant and parallel lines or bars ruled on a polished surface to produce spectra by diffraction — called also diffraction grating