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Definition of "grate" []

  • To reduce to fragments, shreds, or powder by rubbing against an abrasive surface. (verb-transitive)
  • To cause to make a harsh grinding or rasping sound through friction: grated her teeth in anger. (verb-transitive)
  • To irritate or annoy persistently. (verb-transitive)
  • Archaic To rub or wear away. (verb-transitive)
  • To make a harsh rasping sound by or as if by scraping or grinding. (verb-intransitive)

American Heritage(R) Dictionary of the English Language, Fifth Edition. Copyright (c) 2011 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. All rights reserved.

Use "grate" in a sentence
  • "A moderate fire in the grate is the only mode of heating, and they seem quite oblivious to the danger of throwing a door open into a cold hall at one's back, while the servants pass in and out with the various courses at dinner."
  • "Lenz: There was something really appealing to me about standing around the drain grate tasting barrel samples from an old juice container."
  • "This so-called 'drainage' grate is located at the west end of the ravine."