Simple Definition of grant

from our Learner's Dictionary

grant

1 of 2

verb

ˈgrænt How to pronounce grant (audio)
British ˈgrɑːnt
grants; granted; granting
1
a
: to agree to do, give, or allow (something asked for or hoped for)
The mayor refused to grant my request for an interview.
The court granted the motion for a new trial.
She granted me an interview. [=she agreed to let me interview her]
She rarely grants interviews. [=she rarely agrees to be interviewed]
I cannot grant you that wish.
b
: to give (something) legally or formally
The government has agreed to grant the refugees asylum. = The government has agreed to grant asylum to the refugees.
We haven't yet been granted access to the archive.
The country was granted independence in 1950.
The judge granted custody of the children to their mother.
2
: to admit (something) although it does not agree with or support your opinion
I grant that he's a talented writer, but I just don't find his books very interesting.
The house is not in perfect condition, I grant you [=I admit that the house is not in perfect condition], but it's still a great deal.
The house is not perfect, I grant you that.
often used in the form granted or granting to introduce a clause
Granted that she's been under a lot of stress lately, her behavior is still surprising. [=I admit that she has been under a lot of stress lately, but I am still surprised by her behavior]
Even granting that you may be right [=even if you are right], I still think we need to consider other solutions.
often used in the form granted as an adverb
Granted, the house is not in perfect condition, but it's still a great deal.
"The house is not in very good condition." "Granted [=I admit that what you say is true]—but it's still a great deal."

grant

2 of 2

noun

plural grants
1
: an amount of money that is given to someone by a government, a company, etc., to be used for a particular purpose (such as scientific research)
Her study is being funded by a federal grant.
a research grant
They wrote a grant proposal to get funding for the project.
2
: an area of land that is given to someone by a government
a land grant

Cite this Entry

“Grant.” Merriam-Webster.com Simple Definition, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/simple/grant. Accessed 13 Apr. 2026.

More from Merriam-Webster on grant

More from Merriam-Webster