grip

noun

1

a

: 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

2

a

: a firm tenacious hold typically giving control or dominating influence

has the country in his grip

The country is in the grip of a recession.

b

: power of understanding : mental grasp

can't seem to get a grip on [=gain a good understanding of] calculus

… I'm curious to see if preteens have a grip on this fairly sophisticated concept.

—John Hoffman

c

: control of one's thoughts and emotions

—used in the phrases get a grip (on oneself) and lose one's grip

… until he actually fixes his turnover concerns, the fanbase will continue to be upset. In reality, though, fans need to get a grip.

—Nick Faria

I've never seen him so bewildered. He's losing his grip.

3

: a part or device for gripping

4

: a part by which something is grasped

especially : handle

5

: suitcase

6

a

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

b

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

Synonyms of grip

• suitcase
• wallet

Examples of grip in a Sentence

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.

Recent Examples on the Web

Korda made a grip change, a notoriously difficult element of the golf swing to adjust, before her second round. —Gabby Herzig, New York Times, 7 June 2026

His command over oral storytelling grips all those who join him on his walking tours of Kelly Ingram Park in downtown Birmingham, the historic epicenter of the nation’s Civil Rights Movement. —Arati Menon, Condé Nast Traveler, 7 June 2026

Martin Lelievre | Afp | Getty Images Government action to ban social media platforms risks strengthening Big Tech's grip on the industry further, limiting access for smaller players, an exec at BlueSky has warned. —Sawdah Bhaimiya, CNBC, 6 June 2026

Busch was gone — a reality the sport of American stock car racing, particularly those closest to Busch, is still coming to grips with. —Alex Zietlow, Charlotte Observer, 6 June 2026

Word History

Etymology

First Known Use

before the 12th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1a

Phrases Containing grip

• death grip
• key grip
• loosen one's grip/hold
• lose one's grip
• losing his grip on reality
• pistol grip

Rhymes for grip

• blip
• chip
• clip
• dip
• drip
• flip
• grippe
• hip
• ip
• kip
• lip
• nip

Kids Definition

grip

1 of 2 verb

ˈgrip 

gripped; gripping

1

: to seize firmly

2

: to hold strongly the interest of

the story grips the reader

grip

2 of 2 noun

1

a

: a firm grasp

b

: strength in gripping

c

: a way of clasping the hand by which members of a secret society recognize or greet one another

2

a

: a firm hold giving control

in the grip of winter

b

: comprehension sense 3, understanding

3

: a part or device for gripping or by which something is grasped

especially : handle entry 1 sense 1

4

: suitcase