1
2
a(1)
: a perforated or ridged metal plate used as a conductor in a storage battery
(2)
: an electrode consisting of a mesh or a spiral of fine wire in an electron tube
(3)
: a network of conductors for distribution of electric power
also : a network of radio or television stations
b
: a network of uniformly spaced horizontal and perpendicular lines (as for locating points on a map)
also : something resembling such a network
a road grid
c
3
: the starting positions of cars on a racecourse
4
: a device in a photocomposer on which are located the characters to be exposed as the text is composed

Examples of grid in a Sentence

The students plotted points on a grid. The city streets form a grid.
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.
These projects reflect growing military interest in compact nuclear reactors that could provide power independently of conventional electricity grids. — Neetika Walter, Interesting Engineering, 30 Oct. 2026 Electricity prices have been rising for several reasons, including costly upgrades to an aging energy grid, state and local regulations and rising demand from consumers and businesses, including data centers. — ABC News, 29 Oct. 2026 The team’s mesh consists of a grid of ultrathin ribbons of polymer with a thin conductive wire of platinum running through them. — Edd Gent, IEEE Spectrum, 29 Oct. 2026 Prakash said infrastructure planning must account for future climate conditions, including strengthening electricity grids, flood-proofing roads and housing and improving crop insurance. — Sibi Arasu, Los Angeles Times, 28 Oct. 2026 See All Example Sentences for grid

Word History

Etymology

back-formation from gridiron

First Known Use

1839, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Time Traveler
The first known use of grid was in 1839

Browse Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Grid.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/grid. Accessed 1 Nov. 2026.

Kids Definition

1
2
: a metal plate used as a conductor in a storage battery
3
: an element of an electron tube consisting of a network of fine wire
4
: a network of horizontal and perpendicular lines (as for locating points on a map using coordinates or for counting a sample of particles or organisms on a microscope slide)
5
: a network of conductors for distribution of electrical power
also : a network of radio or television stations

More from Merriam-Webster on grid

Love words? Need even more definitions?

Subscribe to America's largest dictionary and get thousands more definitions and advanced search—ad free!

More from Merriam-Webster