grindstone

noun

grind·​stone ˈgrīn(d)-ˌstōn 

1

: millstone sense 1

2

: a flat circular stone of natural sandstone that revolves on an axle and is used for grinding, shaping, or smoothing

Illustration of grindstone

• grindstone 2

Examples of grindstone in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

With less than a year to go, hemp farmers, businesses, and advocates are keeping their noses to the grindstone, choosing to fight the language and fight for the chance to save their market. —Molly Parks, The Washington Examiner, 27 Dec. 2025

Those born under the sign are also not afraid to put their nose to the grindstone. —Olivia Munson, USA Today, 20 Dec. 2025

This year was about seeking out new life experiences, removing her nose from the lyrical grindstone. —Audrey Gibbs, Nashville Tennessean, 16 Dec. 2025

Korn says that particle physicists, nuclear theorists and observational astrophysicists have all had their nose to the grindstone, trying to resolve this lithium-7 underabundance issue for decades now. —Bruce Dorminey, Forbes.com, 12 Aug. 2025

Word History

First Known Use

13th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Phrases Containing grindstone

• keep one's nose to the grindstone
• one's nose is to the grindstone

Rhymes for grindstone

• alone
• atone
• backbone
• bemoan
• bluestone
• breastbone
• brownstone
• capstone
• cheekbone
• condone
• curbstone
• cyclone

Kids Definition

grindstone

noun

grind·​stone ˈgrīn-ˌstōn 

: a stone disk that turns on an axle and is used for grinding or sharpening