: a small missile that contains an explosive or a chemical agent (such as tear gas, a flame producer, or a smoke producer) and that is thrown by hand or projected (as by a rifle or special launcher)

Examples of grenade in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web
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Among the nearly 20 other bills signed into law are measures that restrict the use of flash-bang grenades, limit the use of state property for immigration enforcement and add rules for certain law-enforcement rental vehicles. — Cecilio Padilla, CBS News, 29 Sep. 2026 Do military guys have a history of throwing grenades into Port-o-Lets? — Joe Kinsey Outkick, FOXNews.com, 15 Sep. 2026 Then Mikayla brings up Shinia, which is akin to pulling the pin out of a grenade and tossing it to Taylor. — Kathleen Walsh, Vulture, 11 Sep. 2026 Terrific—carry on with your chubby little juice grenades and tell your partner that love means never criticizing someone’s convenience foods. — Helen Rosner, New Yorker, 6 Sep. 2026 See All Example Sentences for grenade

Word History

Etymology

Middle French, literally, pomegranate, from Late Latin granata, from Latin, feminine of granatus seedy, from granum grain — more at corn

First Known Use

1591, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of grenade was in 1591

Browse Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Grenade.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/grenade. Accessed 2 Oct. 2026.

Kids Definition

: a small bomb that is thrown by hand or launched (as by a rifle)
Etymology

from early French grenade, granade "pomegranate, grenade," from Latin granata "pomegranate," derived from Latin granatus "seedy," from granum "grain, seed" — related to garnet, grain, pomegranate see Word History at garnet

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