grip

verb

Save Word

\ ˈgrip

gripped; gripping

Definition of grip

(Entry 1 of 2)

transitive verb

1 : to seize or hold firmly gripped the door handle

2 : to hold the interest of strongly a story that grips the reader

grip

noun

Definition of grip (Entry 2 of 2)

1a : a strong or tenacious grasp had a good grip on the tennis racket

b : strength in gripping

c : manner or style of gripping the balanced grip of an expert golfer

2a : a firm tenacious hold typically giving control, mastery, or understanding has the country in his grip

b : mental grasp can't seem to get a grip [=gain a good understanding of] on calculus … I'm curious to see if preteens have a grip on this fairly sophisticated concept.— John Hoffman

3 : a part or device for gripping

4 : a part by which something is grasped especially : handle

5 : suitcase

6a : a stage worker who handles scenery, properties, or lights : stagehand

b : a technician on a motion-picture or television set who handles and maintains equipment (such as cameras and their dollies and cranes)

Other Words from grip Synonyms More Example Sentences Phrases Containing grip Learn More About grip

Examples of grip in a Sentence

Verb The little boy gripped his mother's hand tightly. I gripped the door handle and pulled as hard as I could. The story really grips the reader. The scandal has gripped the nation. Noun His tennis instructor showed him the proper backhand grip. a golfer with an incorrect grip He has been doing all he can to maintain his grip on the company's finances. I need new grips for my golf clubs. See More

Recent Examples on the Web: Verb The arrival of so many Cubans is straining communities here in South Florida, while acting once more as a release valve for communist authorities facing potential unrest amid the worst economic crisis to grip the island in decades. — Washington Post, 7 Apr. 2022 To remove the vacuum tube, grip the large plastic lugs molded into the tube and twist it off. — Alex Rennie, Popular Mechanics, 29 Apr. 2022 An ergonomic, curved handle allows users to grip without slip, and breeze over natural facial contours. — ELLE, 28 Apr. 2022 To get started, firmly grip the handle and position the back corner of the blade (the heel) upright along the inside edge of the can's rim. — Christopher Michel, Country Living, 20 Apr. 2022 As the system moves out Saturday into Sunday, extreme winter temperatures will grip the eastern United States. — Caitlin Kaiser And Jennifer Gray, CNN, 9 Mar. 2022 Both Murray and Burrow routinely grip the football without their ring finger on the laces. — Andrew Beaton, WSJ, 27 Jan. 2022 Experts also called attention to drought conditions that continue to grip California. — Los Angeles Times, 9 Apr. 2022 Stacked items like sweaters and t-shirts can easily fall into disarray, making these clear dividers, which easily grip any shelf, ideal for decluttering a closet. — Lauren Hubbard, Town & Country, 9 Apr. 2022 Recent Examples on the Web: Noun Their family members and siblings have been also proclaimed winners in local posts, reflecting the strong grip of political dynasties on the Southeast Asian democracy despite a constitutional prohibition that was never enforced. — Jim Gomez, BostonGlobe.com, 13 May 2022 Their family members and siblings have been also proclaimed winners in local posts, reflecting the strong grip of political dynasties on the Southeast Asian democracy despite a constitutional prohibition that was never enforced. — Jim Gomez, ajc, 13 May 2022 The goal was to weaken the grip of drug traffickers and organized crime in Mexico and Central America. — Sandra Dibble, San Diego Union-Tribune, 10 May 2022 Fridland spoke about walking the streets of Belgium as a boy, his father tightening the grip on his hand as lines of German soldiers walked past. — Ray Sanchez, CNN, 30 Apr. 2022 Elon Musk’s planned acquisition of Twitter Inc. won an endorsement from the social-media platform’s co-founder, Jack Dorsey, who framed the deal as a liberation from the grip of public ownership and advertising. — WSJ, 26 Apr. 2022 The teens were traveling to be reunited with family in Houston but his sister lost grip of Cristopher Alvarado Sabillón in the dark waters, according to NBC News. — Arelis R. Hernández, Anchorage Daily News, 22 Apr. 2022 The teens were traveling to be reunited with family in Houston but his sister lost grip of Cristopher Alvarado Sabillón in the dark waters, according to NBC News. — Washington Post, 22 Apr. 2022 Enlarge / Lines help, but the grip could be more secure. — Scharon Harding, Ars Technica, 19 Apr. 2022 See More

These example sentences are selected automatically from various online news sources to reflect current usage of the word 'grip.' Views expressed in the examples do not represent the opinion of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.