grid

American  

[grid] / grɪd /

noun

1. a grating of crossed bars; gridiron.

2. Electricity.

   1. a metallic framework employed in a storage cell or battery for conducting the electric current and supporting the active material.

   2. a system of electrical distribution serving a large area, especially by means of high-tension lines.

3. Electronics. an electrode in a vacuum tube, usually consisting of parallel wires, a coil of wire, or a screen, for controlling the flow of electrons between the other electrodes.

4. Surveying. a basic system of reference lines for a region, consisting of straight lines intersecting at right angles.

5. a network of horizontal and perpendicular lines, uniformly spaced, for locating points on a map, chart, or aerial photograph by means of a system of coordinates.

6. Architecture. a rectangular system of coordinates used in locating the principal elements of a plan.

7. grillage.

8. Football. gridiron.

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idioms

1. off grid. See off-grid. Also off the grid

grid British  

/ ɡrɪd /

noun

1. See gridiron

2. a network of horizontal and vertical lines superimposed over a map, building plan, etc, for locating points

3. a grating consisting of parallel bars

4. the national network of transmission lines, pipes, etc, by which electricity, gas, or water is distributed

5. short for national grid

6. Also called: control grid.  electronics

   1. an electrode situated between the cathode and anode of a valve usually consisting of a cylindrical mesh of wires, that controls the flow of electrons between cathode and anode See also screen grid suppressor grid

   2. ( as modifier )

      the grid bias

7. See starting grid

8. a plate in an accumulator that carries the active substance

9. any interconnecting system of links

   the bus service formed a grid across the country

10. Northern English dialect word for face

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Other Word Forms

• gridded adjective

Etymology

Origin of grid

First recorded in 1830–40; short for gridiron

Example Sentences

Metal-intensive industrial equipment and electrical grid equipment will pay a 15% rate through 2027, and products made abroad but “entirely with American steel, aluminum, and copper” will be subject to 10% tariffs.

From Barron's • Apr. 2, 2026

Additional lenses then organize the beams into a structured grid of square illumination areas at the receiving surface.

From Science Daily • Apr. 2, 2026

The fuel shortage is especially tough for businesses in Myanmar because so many depend on generators for power; the electricity grid provides only a few hours of power a day in most of Yangon.

From BBC • Apr. 2, 2026

"We already have a backlog of renewable energy projects that are waiting for grid connections," and the timelines are potentially "much shorter" than for fossil fuel projects.

From Barron's • Apr. 1, 2026

They would tie the end of their thread to the grid in our laboratory and unroll it from the spool as they went.

From "Mrs. Frisby and the Rats of NIMH" by Robert C. O'Brien

Related Words

• framework
• network