grenade

American  

[gri-neyd] / grɪˈneɪd /

noun

1. a small shell containing an explosive and thrown by hand or fired from a rifle or launching device.

2. a similar missile containing a chemical, as for dispersing tear gas or fire-extinguishing substances.

---

verb (used with object)

grenaded, grenading

1. to attack with a grenade or grenades.

grenade British  

/ ɡrɪˈneɪd /

noun

1. a small container filled with explosive thrown by hand or fired from a rifle

2. a sealed glass vessel that is thrown and shatters to release chemicals, such as tear gas or a fire extinguishing agent

---

Etymology

Origin of grenade

1525–35; < French < Spanish granada pomegranate, special use of granado having grains < Latin grānātus. See grain, -ate ¹

Example Sentences

Nothing was more intriguing than Dahlem showing there used to be a hand grenade competition, with a student from Huntington Park winning the first competition.

From Los Angeles Times

For politicians, trying to reform the veteran disability system and America’s other broken entitlement programs can seem like picking up a grenade.

From The Wall Street Journal

“He is putting out on the internet, turtles with rocket-propelled grenades — I mean, have you seen this?”

From Salon

Der Spiegel, among other German outlets, reported that the shipment contained 10,000 rounds of live ammunition for pistols, 9,900 rounds of blank bullets for assault rifles, and smoke grenades.

From BBC

Yellow and red smoke bombs representing grenade fire could be seen rising above power facilities scattered across the city.

From The Wall Street Journal