grinder

noun

grind·​er ˈgrīn-dər How to pronounce grinder (audio)
1
a
: molar
b
grinders plural : teeth
2
: one that grinds
3
: a machine or device for grinding
4
5
: an athlete who succeeds through hard work and determination rather than exceptional skill

Examples of grinder in a Sentence

ordered a meatball grinder from the beach's concession stand
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.
On multiple occasions, malfunctions with a grinder pump on the prison property caused large pieces of debris including bed sheets and rags to be released into the city’s sewer system, leading to major downstream clogs and requiring costly emergency repairs, the complaint claims. Matthew Kelly, Kansas City Star, 28 May 2025 Once peppers are wrinkled and dry, remove stems, cut into small pieces, and turn them into powder with a spice or coffee bean grinder. Joshua Siskin, Oc Register, 24 May 2025 Some workers were feeding strips of it into a grinder. Andy Greenberg, Wired News, 22 May 2025 From grinders, to rolling trays, to joint cases, to lighters, these toolkits are not just a set of useful tools. Emily Earlenbaugh, Forbes.com, 22 May 2025 See All Example Sentences for grinder

Word History

First Known Use

14th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1a

Time Traveler
The first known use of grinder was in the 14th century

Browse Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Grinder.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/grinder. Accessed 14 Jun. 2025.

Kids Definition

grinder

noun
grind·​er ˈgrīn-dər How to pronounce grinder (audio)
1
: one that grinds
2
: a large sandwich on a long split roll

More from Merriam-Webster on grinder

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
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