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

About 84 soldiers from Charlie Company were training at two locations, one for throwing grenades and another for practicing attacks on simulated enemy positions. — Rob Gillies, Los Angeles Times, 19 Oct. 2026

Prince Harry risks 'lobbing a grenade' at Prince William as chance to heal years-long feud emerges. — FOXNews.com, 19 Oct. 2026

By making its pockets oversized and bellowed, the designers of the first cargo pants allowed soldiers to tote grenades, flares and other essential gear in their trousers. — Eric Twardzik, Robb Report, 19 Oct. 2026

Police have drawn sharp scrutiny over their use of nonlethal grenades and other riot-control weapons during recent demonstrations. — ABC News, 19 Oct. 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