gripped; gripping
1
: to seize or hold firmly
gripped the door handle
2
: to hold the interest of strongly
a story that grips the reader
gripper
noun
1
a
: a strong or tenacious grasp
had a good grip on the tennis racket
b
: strength in gripping
c
: manner or style of gripping
the balanced grip of an expert golfer
2
a
: a firm tenacious hold typically giving control, mastery, or understanding
has the country in his grip
b
: mental grasp
can't seem to get a grip on [=gain a good understanding of] calculus
… I'm curious to see if preteens have a grip on this fairly sophisticated concept.—
John Hoffman
John Hoffman3
: a part or device for gripping
4
: a part by which something is grasped
especially
: handle
5
: suitcase
6
a
: a stage worker who handles scenery, properties, or lights : stagehand
b
: a technician on a movie or television set who handles and maintains equipment (such as cameras and their dollies and cranes)
Synonyms
Examples of grip in a Sentence
Verb
The little boy gripped his mother's hand tightly.
I gripped the door handle and pulled as hard as I could.
The story really grips the reader.
The scandal has gripped the nation.
Noun
His tennis instructor showed him the proper backhand grip.
a golfer with an incorrect grip
He has been doing all he can to maintain his grip on the company's finances.
I need new grips for my golf clubs.
Recent Examples on the Web
Okla Jones, Essence, 4 Nov. 2024
Hell or High Water (2016) — A gripping modern Western about two brothers who resort to bank robbery to save their family ranch.
—David Faris, Newsweek, 3 Nov. 2024
Merrell Readman, Travel + Leisure, 5 Nov. 2024
For decades, the New Progressive Party and the Popular Democratic Party held an iron grip on the island's electoral system, with the two parties typically capturing over 90 percent of the vote.
—Thomas G. Moukawsher, Newsweek, 5 Nov. 2024
See all Example Sentences for grip 
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to
show current usage.
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Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors.
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Verb
For those eager to revisit or catch up on the gripping saga, seasons one through three are available to stream now, exclusively on BET+.
—Okla Jones, Essence, 4 Nov. 2024
Hell or High Water (2016) — A gripping modern Western about two brothers who resort to bank robbery to save their family ranch.
—David Faris, Newsweek, 3 Nov. 2024
Noun
Winter hikers will want to invest in a pair of boots that provide reliable grip on snow, ice, and slick trails, so the Hoka Women’s Kaha 2 Gtx Hiking Boots are a no-brainer since they’re fitted with Gore-Tex exteriors alongside a waterproof shell to keep your feet warm and dry all season long.
—Merrell Readman, Travel + Leisure, 5 Nov. 2024
For decades, the New Progressive Party and the Popular Democratic Party held an iron grip on the island's electoral system, with the two parties typically capturing over 90 percent of the vote.
—Thomas G. Moukawsher, Newsweek, 5 Nov. 2024
See all Example Sentences for grip
Dictionary Entries Near grip
Cite this Entry
“Grip.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/grip. Accessed 22 Nov. 2024.
Copy CitationKids Definition
grip
1 of 2 verb
gripped; gripping
1
: to seize firmly
2
: to hold strongly the interest of
the story grips the reader
grip
2 of 2 noun1
a
: a firm grasp
b
: strength in gripping
c
: a way of clasping the hand by which members of a secret society recognize or greet one another
2
a
: a firm hold giving control
in the grip of winter
3
: a part or device for gripping or by which something is grasped
especially
: handle entry 1 sense 1
4
: suitcase
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