grabs; grabbed; grabbing
1
: to quickly take and hold (someone or something) with your hand or arms
She grabbed his wrist. = She grabbed him by the wrist.
I have to go back in the house and grab my car keys.
He tried to grab the ball out of her hands. = He tried to grab it (away) from her.
He grabbed hold of a tree branch [=he grabbed a tree branch] and pulled himself out of the water.
The little boy grabbed onto his mother's leg and wouldn't let go.
2
: to take or get (something) in a quick and informal way
Grab me a beer, please. = Grab a beer for me, please.
I'll grab a taxi and meet you there.
Let's grab a bite to eat before the movie starts.
Grab a seat. [=sit down] I'll be with you in a minute.
3
informal
a
: to get the attention or interest of (someone or something)
The store had a lot of nice stuff, but nothing really grabbed me.
The play grabs the audience from the opening scene.
How does that grab you? [=what do you think of that idea?]
b
: to get or be given (something, such as attention)
One player in particular has been grabbing a lot of attention lately.
A new cancer treatment grabbed (the) headlines [=it was given much attention in the news] this week.
4
: to take (something) usually in an unfair way
They tried to grab the largest portion of the money for themselves.
He grabbed the company (away) from its founders.
plural grabs
1
: a quick attempt to take or get something
—usually singular —often + for
He is a member of a group that has broken away from the party's leaders in a grab for power.
a grab for attention
She made a grab for the last cookie. [=she tried to grab the last cookie]
2
: the act of taking something in a forceful or illegal way
an illegal land grab
Cite this Entry
“Grab.” Merriam-Webster.com Simple Definition, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/simple/grab. Accessed 15 Apr. 2026.
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