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

Local police wrote in their statement that military weapons experts were also called to the scene and confirmed that the grenade was not live. —Charlotte Phillipp, People.com, 18 May 2025

In this intervening period, Erik Spoelstra and Pat Riley have spoken of the unique challenges of this past season, primarily the grenade tossed into the locker room by Jimmy Butler ahead of his duck-and-cover departure. —Ira Winderman, Sun Sentinel, 17 May 2025

As soon as the grenades start coming down, the men below start running and taking cover. —David Hambling, Forbes.com, 30 Apr. 2025

In the series, CBS News correspondent Jed Duvall is seen holding the M67 fragmentation hand grenade during a TV news segment. —Olivia B. Waxman, Time, 30 Apr. 2025

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