grid

[grid]

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.

grid

/ 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

Other Word Forms

• gridded adjective

Word History and Origins

Origin of grid¹

First recorded in 1830–40; short for gridiron

Word History and Origins

Origin of grid¹

C19: back formation from _gridiron

Idioms and Phrases

Idioms

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

Example Sentences

This bold diagonal, cut through the prim Quaker street grid, produced a great many awkwardly shaped blocks, including the pointy trapezoid between the Parkway and the Vine Street Expressway that houses Calder Gardens.

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The growth in data centers is expected to strain the nation’s power grids, creating the need for additional energy capacity.

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For years, copper bulls have talked up its key role in the transition to green energy, needed for wind turbines, electric cars and grid infrastructure.

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Lithium-ion batteries are used to power electric vehicles, and to back up data centers and electricity grids.

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“As renewables’ role in electricity systems rises in many countries, policymakers need to pay close attention to supply chain security and grid integration challenges.”

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Related Words

• framework 
• network