grating

noun grat·ing \ ˈgrā-tiŋ \

Updated on: 29 Mar 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

On top of a microchip, the researchers etch two gratings of metal stripes just micrometers apart.

— adrian cho, Science | AAAS, "Weird vibrations poised to control quantum computers," 14 Mar. 2018
Baykeeper is providing temporary gratings for some downtown storm drains.

— lawrence specker, AL.com, "Beads in the water: Cleanup aims to ease Mobile's Mardi Gras litter problem," 4 Feb. 2018
Against police directives, people parked on the bridge drove over it slowly to get a look down through the grating, jamming up traffic for miles.

— jennifer conn, akron reporter, cleveland.com, "Summit County Engineer's office eyeing high-level bridge for replacement," 2 Feb. 2018
Melt butter in a medium sauté pan over medium-high heat; add leeks and season with salt and pepper and a grating of fresh nutmeg; cook, stirring occasionally, about 15 minutes.

— kim sunée, Alaska Dispatch News, "Kim Sunée: Tired of meat-heavy holiday dishes? Try salmon Wellington," 21 July 2016
Another is stamped with a brick pattern, topped with sloped metal grating.

— james hohmann, Washington Post, "The Daily 202: Trump bowing to CIA on JFK files is a reminder of how the presidency changes people," 27 Oct. 2017
One had petals made using perfectly aligned gratings that gave normal iridescence.

— stuart thompson, Smithsonian, "How Flowers Manipulate Light to Send Secret Signals to Bees," 19 Oct. 2017
Amid the grating yet comforting din of a family dinner in the premiere, Ali, Sarah, and Josh escape to the rooftop to get high but instead just banter in the cruel-but-loving way that only brothers and sisters can.

— spencer kornhaber, The Atlantic, "Transparent Tackles Israel-Palestine, and Other Boundary Issues," 22 Sep. 2017
Corrosion on the metal walkway grating and substructures is beginning to accelerate.

— rick anderson, latimes.com, "More than 160,000 non-native Atlantic salmon escaped into Washington waters in fish farm accident," 3 Sep. 2017

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

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

Learn More about grating

See words that rhyme with grating Thesaurus: All synonyms and antonyms for grating Spanish Central: Translation of grating Nglish: Translation of grating for Spanish speakers Britannica English: Translation of grating for Arabic speakers

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grating

Definition of grating

Recent Examples of grating from the Web

First Known Use of grating

Other Architecture Terms

GRATING Defined for English Language Learners

grating

Definition of grating for English Language Learners

GRATING Defined for Kids

grating

Definition of grating for Students

Medical Dictionary

grating

medical Definition of grating

Learn More about grating

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grating

Definition of grating

Recent Examples of grating from the Web

First Known Use of grating

Other Architecture Terms

GRATING Defined for English Language Learners

grating

Definition of grating for English Language Learners

GRATING Defined for Kids

grating

Definition of grating for Students

Medical Dictionary

grating

medical Definition of grating

Learn More about grating

Seen and Heard

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