grenade

[gri-neyd]

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

/ 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

Word History and Origins

Origin of grenade¹

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

Word History and Origins

Origin of grenade¹

C16: from French, from Spanish granada pomegranate, from Late Latin grānāta, from Latin grānātus seedy; see _grain

Example Sentences

County sheriff’s deputies turned up 30,000 rounds of ammunition, several grenades, a sawed-off shotgun and modified credentials to make it appear that Young was still an active DEA agent.

Read more on Los Angeles Times

Attackers threw grenades into roadside shelters where people had sought safety.

Read more on The Wall Street Journal

Jihadists linked to the Islamic State attacked an army base in Nigeria's restive north with grenades and drones killing seven soldiers, and littered a key highway with explosives, military sources told AFP Saturday.

Read more on Barron's

Now, she’s a mom on the edge, a woman resigned to life’s fringes, where she must tiptoe around live grenades so as not to make anything worse.

Read more on Salon

The operator flicked a switch to release a grenade, which exploded and tore into the legs of the 69-year-old pensioner.

Read more on The Wall Street Journal