grid

noun

1
2
a(1)
: a perforated or ridged metal plate used as a conductor in a storage battery
(2)
: an electrode consisting of a mesh or a spiral of fine wire in an electron tube
(3)
: a network of conductors for distribution of electric power
also : a network of radio or television stations
b
: a network of uniformly spaced horizontal and perpendicular lines (as for locating points on a map)
also : something resembling such a network
a road grid
c
3
: the starting positions of cars on a racecourse
4
: a device in a photocomposer on which are located the characters to be exposed as the text is composed

Examples of grid in a Sentence

The students plotted points on a grid. The city streets form a grid.
Recent Examples on the Web
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
The debate over how to update Indiana's grid without burdening ratepayers reached a boiling point Aug. 6, when Portage Mayor Austin Bonta said Soliday had sent him a threatening text in response to the mayor's statement about rate increases, which many residents had complained to him about. Marissa Meador, IndyStar, 21 Aug. 2025 One of the main reasons is that US grid and the China grid are two completely different systems. Dana Taylor, USA Today, 21 Aug. 2025 Denny Hamlin, driver of the #11 Bob's Discount Furniture Toyota, walks the grid during qualifying for the NASCAR Cup Series Iowa Corn 350 Powered by Ethanol at Iowa Speedway on August 02, 2025 in Newton, Iowa. Saajan Jogia, MSNBC Newsweek, 20 Aug. 2025 In 2024 alone, these networks attracted more than $200 million in venture investment with applications ranging from decentralized AI training to electric vehicle charging grids. Sean Lee, Forbes.com, 20 Aug. 2025 See All Example Sentences for grid

Word History

Etymology

back-formation from gridiron

First Known Use

1839, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Time Traveler
The first known use of grid was in 1839

Browse Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Grid.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/grid. Accessed 29 Aug. 2025.

Kids Definition

grid

noun
1
2
: a metal plate used as a conductor in a storage battery
3
: an element of an electron tube consisting of a network of fine wire
4
: a network of horizontal and perpendicular lines (as for locating points on a map using coordinates or for counting a sample of particles or organisms on a microscope slide)
5
: a network of conductors for distribution of electrical power
also : a network of radio or television stations

More from Merriam-Webster on grid

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
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