1
2
a
: a barred frame for cooking over a fire
b
: a frame or bed of iron bars to hold a stove or furnace fire
c
grated; grating
: to furnish with a grate
the lower windows were grated
grated; grating
1
: to reduce to small particles by rubbing on something rough
grate cheese
3
a
: to gnash or grind noisily
b
: to cause to make a rasping sound
c
: to utter in a harsh voice
4
archaic
: abrade
1
: to rub or rasp noisily
metal grating against metal
2
: to cause irritation : jar
a voice that grates on the nerves
grater
noun
Synonyms
Examples of grate in a Sentence
Verb (1)
unintentionally or not, you say rude things that grate people
the sled grated along the bare pavement
he grated the pieces of metal together
Recent Examples on the Web
Mary Cornetta, Better Homes & Gardens, 29 Oct. 2024
In the dim space decked with red and yellow signs, two cages stacked on top of a drain grate house live raccoon dogs.
—Gabriel Spitzer, NPR, 19 Sep. 2024
Daniel Dockery, Vulture, 11 Oct. 2024
Third course: Roasted broccolini and pickled peppers, jalapeno risotto, white balsamic vinaigrette and grated grana padano.
—Amanda Hancock, The Courier-Journal, 4 Nov. 2024
See all Example Sentences for grate 
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Noun
When ready, remove any grates and soak them in soapy water.
—Mary Cornetta, Better Homes & Gardens, 29 Oct. 2024
In the dim space decked with red and yellow signs, two cages stacked on top of a drain grate house live raccoon dogs.
—Gabriel Spitzer, NPR, 19 Sep. 2024
Verb
Meanwhile, Bill Moseley enters the franchise as Chop-Top, a new family member who was apparently in Vietnam during the events of the first film and has returned with a metal plate in his head and a penchant for grating sadism.
—Daniel Dockery, Vulture, 11 Oct. 2024
Third course: Roasted broccolini and pickled peppers, jalapeno risotto, white balsamic vinaigrette and grated grana padano.
—Amanda Hancock, The Courier-Journal, 4 Nov. 2024
See all Example Sentences for grate
Dictionary Entries Near grate
Cite this Entry
“Grate.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/grate. Accessed 23 Nov. 2024.
Copy CitationKids Definition
grate
1 of 2 noun1
2
: a frame of iron bars for holding burning fuel (as in a fireplace)
grate
2 of 2 verb
grated; grating
1
: to make into small particles by rubbing against something rough
grate cheese
2
: to grind or rub against something with a scratching noise
3
: to have a harsh or irritating effect
grater
noun
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