grit

noun \ ˈgrit \

|Updated on: 14 Jun 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

Smith-Pelly could do that, bring grit and energy and be a tenacious forechecker.

— helene elliott, latimes.com, "Unsure of his NHL future a year ago, Capitals' Devante Smith-Pelly is on the verge of winning the Stanley Cup," 6 June 2018
Ostrander's victory in the steeplechase and fourth-place finish in the 5,000 came just 80 minutes apart, and showed a grit and determination that has since become contagious on the Boise State track team.

— rachel roberts, idahostatesman, "Boise State's hopes no longer depend on Ostrander's legs alone," 6 June 2018
And Dungey’s climb is about merit, about grit, and about success.

— solomon jones, Philly.com, "With black women in power, Roseanne's show never stood a chance. Thank God | Solomon Jones," 29 May 2018
The whole mid-century world of grit and cigars, of prize fights and thick New York accents—guys and dolls—is in these pages.

— max watman, WSJ, "Running With Runyon," 25 May 2018
The players can talk about new adjustments in the offense and defense during the 2018 season, but this group had more grit and desire than recent teams.

— mike preston, baltimoresun.com, "Preston: Inconsistency catches up with Hopkins lacrosse as quarterfinal rally falls short vs. Duke, 14-9," 21 May 2018
One of the few-and-far-between parts of the country where grit and will and faith don’t matter.

— leah sottile, Longreads, "Bundyville Chapter Four: The Gospel of Bundy," 18 May 2018
Highlights include grits and greens and the spinach-and-mushroom scramble.

— San Francisco Chronicle, "One Day, One Place: Bolinas and Stinson Beach," 17 May 2018
Essence Eats, where Southern chefs will serve dishes like shrimp and grits and gumbo, will put those new healthy habits to an early test.

— andrew r. chow, New York Times, "15 Pop Music Festivals to Catch This Summer," 17 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

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
Jenkins would grit his teeth and wonder if he was being used.

— peter king, SI.com, "What Donald Trump Could Learn from Vince Lombardi," 26 Sep. 2017

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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grit

Definition 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

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GRIT

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