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.

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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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Etymology

Origin of grenade

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

Example Sentences

For a moment, it felt like he’d thrown a grenade out into the center of the table.

From Literature

In Friday's episode, the row continued in the turret, with Rachel accusing Fiona of "throwing a grenade" into the team of traitors, while Fiona accused her of "playing a game" for herself.

From BBC

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