grit

noun \ ˈgrit \

|Updated on: 9 Aug 2018

Examples: grit in a Sentence

Definition of grit

1 a : sand, gravel

b : a hard sharp granule (as of sand); also : material (as many abrasives) composed of such granules

2 : any of several sandstones

3 a : the structure of a stone that adapts it to grinding

b : the size of abrasive particles usually expressed as their mesh

4 : firmness of mind or spirit : unyielding courage in the face of hardship or danger

managed to survive by his grit and guile

5 capitalized : a Liberal in Canadian politics

See grit defined for English-language learners

See grit defined for kids

Examples of grit in a Sentence

He shook out his shoes to remove the small rocks and grit.
Through resourcefulness and grit, the pioneers survived the winter.

Recent Examples of grit from the Web

The play: Pimento cheese ($7), shrimp and grits ($17), chicken and dumplings ($14) Duck Duck Goat 857 W. Fulton Market, 312-902-3825 Impress your date with a celebrity chef sighting of Top Chef and Iron Chef Stephanie Izard.

— michael nagrant, RedEye Chicago, "Date night under $50: What to order at some of Chicago's best restaurants," 12 July 2018
The restaurant's brunch menu features both of their renditions of shrimp and grits.

— jess nocera, Laurel Leader, "Order’s up at three new restaurants in Laurel," 5 July 2018
Dishes include campechana, shrimp and grits, blackberry pork chops, fresh salads and more.

— joy sewing, San Antonio Express-News, "Weekend getaway: Your guide to all things Galveston," 11 June 2018
And a few more dinner entrees, including the chef’s spin on shrimp and grits, are being added to the menu.

— anna caplan, star-telegram, "Fries? Check. Wonderfully messy sandwiches? Check. Roll of paper towels? Absolutely," 6 June 2018
Shrimp and grits, for example, is an appetizer that’s way past trendy by now and can so easily be ho-hum, but not in this case.

— tim smith, baltimoresun.com, "Vibrant food, friendly atmosphere make it easy to unwind at Grind and Wine," 10 May 2018
Southern delicacies such as shrimp and grits and homemade biscuits are in the regular rotation on his show.

— amanda garrity, Good Housekeeping, "Facts About David Venable, Your Beloved QVC Host From "In the Kitchen With David"," 7 May 2018
The menu is contemporary American – mostly pubby favorites like burgers, sandwiches, salads and pastas – with a few fun twists like curry, shrimp and grits, peanut/tofu stir-fry, and chicharrons.

— Anchorage Daily News, "Dining review: Pulling up a chair at Table 6 in Midtown Anchorage," 3 May 2018
Give in to sin and order the barbecue shrimp and grits.

— cheney gardner, Outside Online, "24 Hours in New Orleans," 2 May 2018

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

Origin and Etymology of grit

Middle English grete, from Old English grēot; akin to Old High German grioz sand

NEW! Time Traveler

First Known Use: before 12th century

in the meaning defined at sense 1a

See Words from the same year

grit Synonyms

grit

verb

Definition of grit

gritted; gritting

intransitive verb

: to give forth a grating sound

dry snow gritting beneath our feet

transitive verb

1 : to cause (one's teeth) to grind or grate

gritted his teeth and faced the challenge

2 : to cover or spread with grit; especially : to smooth (a material, such as marble) with a coarse abrasive

See grit defined for English-language learners

Examples of grit in a Sentence

the crash victim gritted his teeth as a way of coping with the pain

Recent Examples of grit from the Web

In one of Maye’s pictures, a runner is gritting his teeth midstride while, a few feet behind him, the limo creeps along in ominous pursuit, a ghostly white hand visible in the car’s tinted windows.

— martin fritz huber, Outside Online, "The Speed Project: A Crazy, 340-Mile Desert Relay," 21 June 2018
Finally, after diving headfirst into bravado and chest puffery all episode, Axe grits his teeth.

— refinery29.com, "Billions Season 3, Episode 9 Recap: "Sitting Here In The Dark, Like An Assassin"," 21 May 2018
If Donald Trump had just gritted his teeth and lived with James Comey as F.B.I. director, everyone would have been spared a lot of grief.

— t.a. frank, The Hive, "A Note to Woke Washington: The Bush Administration Was So Much Worse," 4 May 2018
Christian Bale grits his teeth and stares into the distance often as Blocker, who resists distasteful new orders that will conclude his military career.

— chris ball, cleveland.com, "'Rock and Roll Hall of Fame: In Concert,' now on DVD and Blu-ray (review)," 2 May 2018
To see the sweat and tears and gritted teeth and anger.

— danielle c. belton, The Root, "Dominate," 29 Apr. 2018
So here’s my pitch: gritting through a fight at all costs has its own consequences, and sometimes the only solution is to pass out and start again.

— jaya saxena, The Cut, "In Defense of Going to Bed Angry," 27 Feb. 2018
In the jubilation after a depleted and dwarfed and dissed Kansas State team had gritted past Kentucky on Thursday at Philips Arena, K-State coach Bruce Weber urged star guard Barry Brown Jr. nearby to go into the stands to join family and friends.

— vahe gregorian, kansascity, "K-State creates 'snapshot' that will last forever ... perhaps with more to come | The Kansas City Star," 23 Mar. 2018
But the Pistons were able to grit out a tough victory in a game where Griffin struggled offensively.

— vince ellis, Detroit Free Press, "Blake Griffin's charge to Pistons, fans continues in victory over Heat," 4 Feb. 2018

Origin and Etymology of grit

see ¹grit

NEW! Time Traveler

First Known Use: 1762

in the meaning defined at intransitive sense

See Words from the same year

grit Synonyms

Synonyms

crunch, gnash, grate, grind, scrape, scrunch;

clash, collide, jangle, jar;

GRIT Defined for English Language Learners

grit

noun

Definition of grit for English Language Learners

: very small pieces of sand or stone
: mental toughness and courage

GRIT Defined for Kids

grit

noun \ ˈgrit \

Definition of grit for Students

1 : rough hard bits especially of sand

2 : strength of mind or spirit

He had never learned to run properly, but … no one had more grit than he.
—Katherine Paterson, Bridge to Terabithia

grit

verb

Definition of grit for Students

gritted; gritting

: ¹grind 3, grate

Law Dictionary

GRIT

abbreviation

legal Definition of GRIT

grantor retained income trust

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See words that rhyme with grit Thesaurus: All synonyms and antonyms for grit Spanish Central: Translation of grit Nglish: Translation of grit for Spanish speakers Britannica English: Translation of grit for Arabic speakers Britannica.com: Encyclopedia article about grit

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grit

Definition of grit

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Origin and Etymology of grit

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grit

Definition of grit

Examples of grit in a Sentence

Recent Examples of grit from the Web

Origin and Etymology of grit

grit Synonyms

Synonyms

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GRIT Defined for English Language Learners

grit

Definition of grit for English Language Learners

GRIT Defined for Kids

grit

Definition of grit for Students

grit

Definition of grit for Students

Law Dictionary

GRIT

legal Definition of GRIT

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