grenadier

[ gren-uh-deer ]

/ ˌgrɛn əˈdɪər /

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noun

(in the British army) a member of the first regiment of household infantry (Grenadier Guards ).

(formerly) a specially selected foot soldier in certain elite units.

(formerly) a soldier who threw grenades.

Also called rattail, rat-tail . any of several deep-sea fishes of the family Macrouridae, having an elongated, tapering tail.

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In the UK, COTTON CANDY is more commonly known as…

candystring

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Origin of grenadier

From French, dating back to 1670–80; see origin at grenade, -ier²

OTHER WORDS FROM grenadier

gren·a·dier·i·al, adjectivegren·a·dier·ly, adverbgren·a·dier·ship, noun

Words nearby grenadier

Grenache, Grenada, grenade, grenade launcher, Grenadian, grenadier, grenadilla, grenadine, Grenadines, Grendel, Grenfell

Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023

How to use grenadier in a sentence

After the Poles had been besieged for 24 hours they were relieved by a column of Shermans from the Canadian Grenadier Guards.
The Deadly Trap Behind D-Day’s Beaches|Clive Irving|June 5, 2014|DAILY BEAST
A Grenadier Guards sergeant who was among the audience told the paper, "It was really tip-top."
Seven Amazing Pictures of Future Queen Cross-Dressing in Teenage Pantomime Role|Tom Sykes|December 3, 2013|DAILY BEAST
Tonight, he will host a dinner at Buckingham Palace in his role of Colonel of the Grenadier Guards.
Prince Philip Is Back!|Tom Sykes|June 15, 2012|DAILY BEAST
A Grenadier Guardsman would serve the couple “gin and orange and beef sandwiches by the open fire.”
12 Juicy Bits From the Prince Philip Biography|Tom Sykes|November 14, 2011|DAILY BEAST

She charges me like a grenadier and asks me to give her—guess a little what!
The Tragic Muse|Henry James
Behind which follow stragglers of the Garde-du-Corps; all humiliated, in Grenadier bonnets.
The Outline of History: Being a Plain History of Life and Mankind|Herbert George Wells
He wore a mitre of leather, with the front like a grenadier's cap, adorned with mock embroidery, and trinkets of tin.
The Abbot|Sir Walter Scott
A fearless French grenadier scaled the wall, but he and his comrades within were killed.
The Life of Napoleon Bonaparte|William Milligan Sloane
Sheridan was a grenadier company of life-guards, but Colman a whole regiment—of light infantry, to be sure, but still a regiment.
A Walk from London to Fulham|Thomas Crofton Croker

British Dictionary definitions for grenadier

grenadier

/ (ˌɡrɛnəˈdɪə) /

noun

military

(in the British Army) a member of the senior regiment of infantry in the Household Brigade
(formerly) a member of a special formation, usually selected for strength and height
(formerly) a soldier trained to throw grenades

Also called: rat-tail any deep-sea gadoid fish of the family Macrouridae, typically having a large head and trunk and a long tapering tail

any of various African weaverbirds of the genus EstrildaSee waxbill

Word Origin for grenadier

C17: from French; see grenade

Collins English Dictionary - Complete & Unabridged 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012