grenade

noun

gre·​nade grə-ˈnād 

: 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

The same drone, which Tkachenko said has saved hundreds of lives, can also be adapted to mount a 40-mm grenade launcher, which can be controlled from a bunker miles from the battlefield. —Holly Williams, CBS News, 29 Mar. 2026

The grenades are meant to be used in high-risk environments, such as hostage rescues or prison violence, the warning said. —Charlotte Observer, 27 Mar. 2026

The Los Angeles County Sheriff’s Department is investigating whether graphic crime scene photos of a grenade blast that killed three detectives were improperly shared internally, officials told The Times. —Richard Winton, Los Angeles Times, 26 Mar. 2026

The Hamas killers were armed with what appeared to be newer assault rifles and plenty of hand grenades. —Boston Herald Editorial Staff, Boston Herald, 22 Mar. 2026

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

Phrases Containing grenade

• concussion grenade
• flash-bang grenade
• flash grenade
• fragmentation grenade
• smoke grenade
• stun grenade

Rhymes for grenade

• afraid
• allayed
• arcade
• arrayed
• assayed
• barmaid
• betrayed
• blockade
• bridesmaid
• brigade
• brocade
• buffeted

Kids Definition

grenade

noun

gre·​nade grə-ˈnād 

: 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