- a variation of grille.
grill
1 Americannoun
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a grated utensil for broiling meat, fish, vegetables, etc., over a fire; gridiron.
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a dish of grilled meat, fish, etc.
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Philately. a group of small pyramidal marks, embossed or impressed in parallel rows on certain U.S. and Peruvian stamps of the late 19th century to prevent erasure of cancellation marks.
verb (used with object)
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to broil on a gridiron or other apparatus over or before a fire.
- Synonyms:
- barbecue
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to subject to severe and persistent cross-examination or questioning.
- Synonyms:
- probe, interrogate
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to torment with heat.
- Synonyms:
- torture
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to mark with a series of parallel bars like those of a grill.
verb (used without object)
noun
verb
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Usual US and Canadian word: broil. to cook (meat, fish, etc) by direct heat, as under a grill or over a hot fire, or (of meat, fish, etc) to be cooked in this way
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(tr; usually passive) to torment with or as if with extreme heat
the travellers were grilled by the scorching sun
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informal (tr) to subject to insistent or prolonged questioning
noun
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a device with parallel bars of thin metal on which meat, fish, etc, may be cooked by a fire; gridiron
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a device on a cooker that radiates heat downwards for grilling meat, fish, etc
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food cooked by grilling
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See grillroom
noun
Other Word Forms
Derived Forms
Inflected Forms
Participles
Conjugated Forms
Present
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grillsimple
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grillssimple
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have grilledperfect
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has grilledperfect
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am grillingprogressive
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are grillingprogressive
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is grillingprogressive
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have been grillingperfect progressive
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has been grillingperfect progressive
Past
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grilledsimple
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had grilledperfect
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was grillingprogressive
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were grillingprogressive
-
had been grillingperfect progressive
Future
Etymology
Origin of grill
1660–70; 1890–95 grill 1 for def. 6; < French gril gridiron ≪ Latin crātīculum, creātīculō, diminutive of crātis wickerwork, hurdle. See grille
Explanation
Not all grilling involves fire and delicious food. Sometimes, to grill means to ask a person really intense questions, like when you suspect them of doing something wrong and you want to make them confess the truth. Ever seen a film where a police officer puts a bright light in a criminal’s face and screams, “Did you do it?” That’s how you grill someone. You have to be tough on him, and not let him off the hook too easily. Being grilled means you are in the “hot seat,” and it’ll feel like you’re cooking from such a close examination. Better to grill than be grilled, but if you get caught — think of an alibi, quick!
Vocabulary lists containing grill
Blanch, Poach, and Scald: Cooking Methods
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The Poet X
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Inquire Within: Synoynms for "Ask"
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Example Sentences
Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.
Guests can dine at The Drake or the acclaimed St. Paul Grill, both located on-site, and room service is available for quieter mornings.
From Salon • Jun. 11, 2026
Chipotle Mexican Grill has fallen out of favor over the past year as concerns emerged about the company’s ability to maintain its industry-leading growth.
From Barron's • Jun. 10, 2026
Last September, Ríhanna Kelver was standing outside the Crowbar & Grill in Laramie, Wyoming, preparing to start her bartending shift, when she noticed a group of men across the street.
From Slate • Jun. 4, 2026
Bloomin’, the owner of Outback Steakhouse and Carrabba’s Italian Grill, said its turnaround efforts are continuing to gain momentum.
From The Wall Street Journal • May 6, 2026
At one o’clock in the morning Hal and Joe went to Barlow’s Grill.
From "East of Eden" by John Steinbeck
Definitions and idiom definitions from Dictionary.com Unabridged, based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023
Idioms from The American Heritage® Idioms Dictionary copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company.
