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Grendel

American  
[gren-dl] / ˈgrɛn dl /

noun

English and Scandinavian Mythology.
  1. the monster killed by Beowulf.


Grendel British  
/ ˈɡrɛndəl /

noun

  1. (in Old English legend) a man-eating monster defeated by the hero Beowulf

"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

Example Sentences

Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.

Sanchomo is featured heavily in "Touken Ranbu" and whenever the museum exhibits it, "our visitor numbers skyrocket", Tumi Grendel Markan, a cultural guide at the museum, told AFP, calling their demographic "about 80 percent female".

From Barron's • Feb. 11, 2026

In this epic poem, Beowulf, a Scandinavian hero defeats Grendel, an outcast creature of gigantic stature in order to defend the Geats.

From Salon • Sep. 24, 2022

In the first, Grendel emerges from the wilderness “With absolute prophecy in his breast/And a desire for mercy, for a friend, an end/To drifting in loneliness.”

From New York Times • Apr. 15, 2022

The feature dates back at least to old clients from the ’90s, like Netscape Mail, Grendel, Evolution, and Balsa.

From Slate • Feb. 24, 2015

When shaking did not work, and banging did not work, Grendel tried jerking his arm.

From "Beowulf: A New Telling" by Robert Nye