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

From Barron's ● May 29, 2026

Within the Sheriff’s Department, there are also two criminal investigations underway — one into the deputies’ deaths and another into the disappearance of a second grenade.

From Los Angeles Times ● May 5, 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

"Yo, Curron, how come yesterday Coach ain't make y'all do that dancing thing Patty and Krystal did?" he asked, winding up and tossing a live grenade into the mix.

From "Patina" by Jason Reynolds

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

From Barron's ● Jun. 11, 2026

Mr. Hanks does not feel, like some others, that he has to sell us on the importance of the subject at hand, hurling superlatives like hand grenades.

From The Wall Street Journal ● May 21, 2026

The state investigator also requested the X-ray tests that deputies had used to wrongly determine that the two grenades were inert, according to the complaint.

From Los Angeles Times ● Apr. 1, 2026

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 ● Dec. 2, 2025

While the girls cradled their roses, the boys looked at them as if they were hand grenades.

From "Stargirl" by Jerry Spinelli