1
: of superior grade or quality
high-grade bonds
2
a
: being near the upper or most favorable extreme of a specified range
b
: medically serious or life-threatening
a high-grade tumor

Examples of high-grade in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
However, if the same high-grade cancer has already spread widely (Stage 4), five-year relative survival drops significantly, to around 38%. Jason P. Joseph, The Conversation, 21 May 2025 Pathologists measure the two cell areas that make up the majority of the cancer then add the scores together to come up with the Gleason score, which ranges from 6, a low-grade cancer, to 10, a high-grade cancer, according to the Cleveland Clinic. Sara Dorn, Forbes.com, 20 May 2025 Both Greig and Kelly are high-grade NHL pests with some scoring touch who kill penalties and aren’t afraid to throw their bodies around despite not being huge. Max Bultman, New York Times, 19 May 2025 Gleason score of 8 to 10: Cancer is high-grade and may need more aggressive treatment. Angelica Stabile, FOXNews.com, 19 May 2025 See All Example Sentences for high-grade

Word History

First Known Use

1826, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Time Traveler
The first known use of high-grade was in 1826

Cite this Entry

“High-grade.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/high-grade. Accessed 29 May. 2025.

Kids Definition

high-grade

adjective
ˈhī-ˈgrād
: of a better grade or quality

Medical Definition

high-grade

adjective
: being near the upper, most serious, or most life-threatening extreme of a specified range
high-grade gliomas
high-grade cervical dysplasia
compare low-grade

More from Merriam-Webster on high-grade

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