Grate Definition

grāt

grated, grates, grating

verb

grated, grates, grating

To grind into shreds or particles by rubbing or scraping.

Webster's New World

To grind or rub with a harsh scraping or rasping sound.

Webster's New World

To rub against (an object) with a harsh, scraping sound.

Webster's New World

To grind (the teeth) together with a rasping sound.

Webster's New World

To have an irritating or annoying effect.

A noise that grates on one's nerves.

Webster's New World

Synonyms:

Antonyms:

noun

grates

A harsh rasping sound made by scraping or rubbing.

The grate of a key in a lock.

American Heritage

Webster's New World

A framework of parallel or latticed bars for blocking an opening.

American Heritage

A frame of metal bars for holding fuel in a fireplace, stove, or furnace.

Webster's New World

A fireplace.

Webster's New World

Synonyms:

adjective

(obsolete) Serving to gratify; agreeable.

Wiktionary

Other Word Forms of Grate

Singular:

grate

Plural:

grates

From Old French grater (“to scrape”) (> French gratter), from Frankish kratton, Proto-Germanic. Cognate with Old High German krazzon (> German kratzen (“to scrawl”) > Danish kradse), Icelandic krassa (“to scrawl”) and Danish kratte.

From Wiktionary
Late Latin grata, from Latin word for a hurdle; or Italian grata, of the same origin.

From Wiktionary
Middle English from Medieval Latin grāta alteration of Latin crātis wickerwork

From American Heritage Dictionary of the English Language, 5th Edition
Middle English graten from Old French grater to scrape of Germanic origin

From American Heritage Dictionary of the English Language, 5th Edition
Latin gratus (“agreeable”).

From Wiktionary