grill

1 of 3

verb

ˈgril 

grilled; grilling; grills

transitive verb

1

: to broil on a grill

also : to fry or toast on a griddle

2

a

: to torment as if by broiling

b

: to question intensely

the police grilled the suspect

griller noun

grill

2 of 3

noun (1)

1

: a cooking utensil of parallel bars on which food is exposed to heat (as from charcoal or electricity)

2

: food that is broiled usually on a grill compare mixed grill

3

: a usually informal restaurant or dining room

grill

3 of 3

noun (2)

variant spelling of grille

1

: a grating forming a barrier or screen

especially : an ornamental one at the front end of an automobile

2

: an opening covered with a grille

3

usually grill : a set of metallic covers for the teeth

Synonyms of grill

Verb

• interrogate
• question
• examine
• pump

Noun (1)

• restaurant
• diner

Examples of grill in a Sentence

Verb

We're planning to grill some chicken and burgers at the cookout.

Her parents grilled her when she came home late.

Noun (1)

She put the hamburgers on the grill.

headed down to the local bar and grill for a beer and a burger

Recent Examples on the Web

Verb

Gonzalez appeared at a contentious July congressional hearing in which the Smithsonian’s National Museum of American History director, Anthea Hartig, was grilled on matters of diversity, equity, and inclusion in its programming. — Brian Boucher, ARTnews.com, 21 Aug. 2026

Carnivores can order a mighty bistecca alla Fiorentina, Florence’s signature dish, char-grilled and carved at your table. — Condé Nast, Condé Nast Traveler, 20 Aug. 2026

Noun

For lunch, there are two options – Sails Bar on the beach or Cayenne, the grill restaurant overlooking the sea. — Ann Lee, TheWeek, 24 Aug. 2026

The tacos feature za’atar rubbed swordfish kissed by a wood-burning grill, dabbed with tangy pools of labne and a salsa arabe, similar to harissa. — The Bon Appétit Staff, Bon Appetit Magazine, 24 Aug. 2026

Word History

Etymology

Noun (1)

French gril, from Old French greil, from Latin craticulum — more at griddle entry 1

First Known Use

Verb

1672, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Noun (1)

1685, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Phrases Containing grill

• mixed grill

Rhymes for grill

• bill
• brill
• chill
• drill
• fil
• fill
• frill
• gill
• grille
• jill
• kill
• krill

Kids Definition

grill

1 of 2 verb

ˈgril 

1

: to broil on a grill

2

a

: to torment as if by broiling

b

: to question with repeated questions

grill

2 of 2 noun

1

: a grate on which food is broiled

2

: broiled food

3

: a restaurant that serves broiled foods