grains

American  

[greynz] / greɪnz /

noun

(often used with a singular verb)

1. an iron instrument with barbed prongs, for spearing or harpooning fish.

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Etymology

Origin of grains

1895–1900; earlier grainse < Old Norse grein branch, division; compare Swedish gren

Example Sentences

For the next 49,000 years, the sticky pits captured virtually everything that fell or walked onto them, from grains of pollen borne by the wind to hapless ancient camels and Columbian mammoths.

From Los Angeles Times • Jun. 6, 2026

Swapping potatoes for whole grains was associated with a lower risk of type 2 diabetes, while replacing them with white rice was linked to a higher risk.

From Science Daily • Jun. 3, 2026

The new study found that diets high in minimally processed foods, such as fresh fruits, vegetables, whole grains, fish and unprocessed meats, were linked to a decreased risk of dementia and cognitive impairment.

From The Wall Street Journal • Jun. 3, 2026

With glasses perched on his nose, 43-year-old shopkeeper Minati Rout completes his journey by passing a final test: separating small pebbles from grains of rice.

From Barron's • May 27, 2026

But when the soil is shaken, the structure holding up the grains collapses, causing water from below to rise toward the surface.

From "Meltdown" by Deirdre Langeland

Related Words

• rubble