grenade

American  

[gri-neyd] / grɪˈneɪd /

noun

• grenades
  plural

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.

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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

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Other Word Forms

Noun Inflected Forms

• grenades
  plural

Etymology

Origin of grenade

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

Explanation

A grenade is a small explosive device, a little bomb that can be thrown by hand. The earliest grenades were contained in ceramic jars and thrown by ancient Byzantine soldiers. If you've ever seen a war movie, you may have observed soldiers pulling pins out of hand-held grenades, throwing them, and watching them explode at a distance. The first grenades were extremely dangerous to the people holding them, and modern versions improved the thrower's safety even as they became more deadly for those they were used against. Larger grenades are propelled with launchers, gun-like weapons that are also used in combat.

Example Sentences

See Examples For:

grenade grenades

Police have confirmed a suspicious item which led to road closures around a canal in Retford was a replica grenade.

From BBC ● Aug. 11, 2026

The deputies responded to the scene in personal work trucks rather than the department’s bomb truck and Osborn improperly examined the grenade and falsely reported it inert, according to the complaint.

From Los Angeles Times ● Jul. 19, 2026

The grenade factory also began designing launchers at the request of Defense Minister Pedro Sanchez in October 2023.

From Barron's ● May 29, 2026

Beretta Holding houses more than 20 international brands, producing assault and sniper rifles, grenade launchers and the intricately engraved shotguns of historic British producer Holland & Holland.

From The Wall Street Journal ● Apr. 21, 2026

Frank was better known for the Giant Goldfish Fiasco in Atlanta, and, just yesterday, for turning into a two-hundred-kilo gorilla only to get knocked senseless by a flash-bang grenade.

From "The House of Hades" by Rick Riordan

The security forces used tear gas and stun grenades.

From BBC ● Aug. 12, 2026

An AFP photographer saw law enforcement use stun grenades to try disperse the crowds near Madison Square Garden.

From Barron's ● Jun. 11, 2026

The sheriff’s arson and explosives unit retrieved two abandoned grenades from the garage of a Santa Monica apartment complex on July 17.

From Los Angeles Times ● May 5, 2026

Afterward, Mexican forces seized heavy weapons, including a high-caliber Barrett rifle, munitions, mortar grenades, two rocket launchers and eight vehicles.

From The Wall Street Journal ● Feb. 24, 2026

Whereupon a mile and a half of blundering fishermen went berserk, jumping into the stream and charging after the prey with everything except hatchets and hand grenades.

From "The Milagro Beanfield War" by John Nichols