Definition of "grate" in English

noun

1. A horizontal metal grill through which liquid, ash, or small objects can fall, while larger objects cannot.

   • The grate stopped the sheep from escaping from their field.

2. A frame or bed, or kind of basket, of iron bars, for holding fuel while burning.

3. (historical) A grapper, a metal ring on a lance behind the grip.

verb

1. (transitive) To furnish with grates; to protect with a grating or crossbars.

   • to grate a window

verb

1. (transitive, cooking) To shred (things, usually foodstuffs), by rubbing across a grater.

   • I need to grate the cheese before the potato is cooked.

2. (intransitive) To make an unpleasant rasping sound, often as the result of rubbing against something.

   • 1856, Gustave Flaubert, Madame Bovary, Part 3 Chapter X, translated by Eleanor Marx-Aveling The gate suddenly grated. It was Lestiboudois; he came to fetch his spade, that he had forgotten. He recognised Justin climbing over the wall, and at last knew who was the culprit who stole his potatoes.
   • Listening to his teeth grate all day long drives me mad.
   • The chalk grated against the board.

3. (by extension, intransitive) To get on one's nerves; to irritate, annoy.

   • She’s nice enough, but she can begin to grate if there is no-one else to talk to.

4. (by extension, transitive) To annoy.

   • 2015, Art Levy in Florida Trend, Roland Martin is a Florida 'Icon' one of the issues that's kind of grating me a little bit is weed control.

adjective

1. (obsolete) Serving to gratify; agreeable.

adjective

1. Obsolete spelling of great.

   • c. 1815, Mary Woody, A true account of Nayomy Wise He promisd her a grate reward