gram

1 of 5

noun (1)

ˈgram How to pronounce gram (audio)
: any of several leguminous plants (such as a chickpea) grown especially for their seed
also : their seeds

gram

2 of 5

noun (2)

ˈgram How to pronounce gram (audio)
1
: a metric unit of mass equal to 1/1000 kilogram and nearly equal to the mass of one cubic centimeter of water at its maximum density see Metric System Table
2
: the weight of a gram under the acceleration of gravity

gram

3 of 5

noun (3)

: grandmother

gram

4 of 5

abbreviation

grammar; grammatical

-gram

5 of 5

noun combining form

: drawing : writing : record
chronogram
telegram

Examples of gram in a Sentence

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.
Noun
Davis, however, questioned the relevance of Volkheimer’s work, noting the German, who died in 2021, fed his animal subjects between 100 and 200 grams of PVC daily. — Susanne Rust follow, Los Angeles Times, 26 Oct. 2026 The company said its own production strains have achieved protein concentrations of 50 grams per liter at commercial scale. — Alexandra Harrell, Footwear News, 23 Oct. 2026 One medium-sized apple has 4 grams of fiber, including soluble fiber, which delays sugar absorption into the bloodstream. — Jillian Kubala, HEALTH, 23 Oct. 2026 Recommended for older women is about half a gram of protein per pound. — Sheah Rarback, Miami Herald, 22 Oct. 2026 See All Example Sentences for gram

Word History

Etymology

Noun (1)

obsolete Portuguese (now spelled grão), grain, from Latin granum

Noun (2)

French gramme, from Late Latin gramma, a small weight, from Greek grammat-, gramma letter, writing, a small weight, from graphein to write — more at carve

Noun (3)

by shortening & alteration

Noun combining form

Latin -gramma, from Greek, from gramma

First Known Use

Noun (1)

1702, in the meaning defined above

Noun (2)

1797, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Noun (3)

1923, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of gram was in 1702

Phrases Containing gram

Rhymes for gram

See All Rhymes for gram

Browse Nearby Words

gralloch
gram
-gram
See all Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Gram.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/gram. Accessed 27 Oct. 2026.

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Kids Definition

gram

1 of 2 noun
ˈgram
1
: a metric unit of mass equal to ¹⁄₁₀₀₀ kilogram and nearly equal to the mass of one cubic centimeter of water at its maximum density see metric system
2
: the weight of a gram of mass

-gram

2 of 2 noun combining form
ˌgram
: drawing : writing : record
telegram
Etymology

Noun combining form

from Latin -gramma "piece of writing, record," derived from Greek gramma "letter," derived from graphein "to write" — related to graffito, grammar, -graph

Medical Definition

gram

noun
variants or chiefly British gramme
ˈgram How to pronounce gram (audio)
1
: a metric unit of mass equal to 1/1000 kilogram and nearly equal to the mass of one cubic centimeter of water at its maximum density
—abbreviation g
2
: the weight of a gram under standard gravity

More from Merriam-Webster on gram

Britannica.com: Encyclopedia article about gram

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