grinder

noun

grind·​er ˈgrīn-dər 

1

a

: molar

b

grinders plural : teeth

2

: one that grinds

3

: a machine or device for grinding

4

: submarine entry 2 sense 2

5

: an athlete who succeeds through hard work and determination rather than exceptional skill

Synonyms

• Cuban sandwich
• hero
• hoagie
• hoagy
• Italian sandwich
• po'boy
• poor boy
• sub
• submarine
• torpedo

Examples of grinder in a Sentence

ordered a meatball grinder from the beach's concession stand

Recent Examples on the Web

Days later, her dismembered body was discovered in a rental home in rural Tai Po, outfitted with a meat grinder, electric saw and soup pots filled with human remains, PEOPLE previously reported. —Christina Coulter, People.com, 22 June 2025

By that point, a narrative had emerged that Howland had changed his ways, forgoing the sort of grinders such as Mbah a Moute and Lorenzo Mata-Real who had fueled his early success in favor of more prolific scorers. —Ben Bolch, Los Angeles Times, 22 June 2025

What happened was Spaun — a journeyman, a grinder, a stocky, 5-foot-8, 34-year-old golfer who nearly lost his PGA Tour card a year ago — came out of a rain delay four shots behind the lead after a disastrous start. —Brody Miller, New York Times, 16 June 2025

Our favorite bike locks for every ride, including new locks designed to thwart angle grinders. —Boutayna Chokrane, Wired News, 13 June 2025

Word History

First Known Use

14th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1a

Phrases Containing grinder

• organ-grinder

Rhymes for grinder

• binder
• blinder
• finder
• kinder
• minder
• pinder
• bookbinder
• factfinder
• pathfinder
• reminder
• sidewinder
• viewfinder

Kids Definition

grinder

noun

grind·​er ˈgrīn-dər 

1

: one that grinds

2

: a large sandwich on a long split roll