grid

[grid]

noun

1. a grating of crossed bars; gridiron.

2. Electricity.

   1. a metallic framework employed in a storage cell or battery for conducting the electric current and supporting the active material.

   2. a system of electrical distribution serving a large area, especially by means of high-tension lines.

3. Electronics.,  an electrode in a vacuum tube, usually consisting of parallel wires, a coil of wire, or a screen, for controlling the flow of electrons between the other electrodes.

4. Surveying.,  a basic system of reference lines for a region, consisting of straight lines intersecting at right angles.

5. a network of horizontal and perpendicular lines, uniformly spaced, for locating points on a map, chart, or aerial photograph by means of a system of coordinates.

6. Architecture.,  a rectangular system of coordinates used in locating the principal elements of a plan.

7. grillage.

8. Football.,  gridiron.

grid

/ ɡrɪd /

noun

1. See gridiron

2. a network of horizontal and vertical lines superimposed over a map, building plan, etc, for locating points

3. a grating consisting of parallel bars

4. the national network of transmission lines, pipes, etc, by which electricity, gas, or water is distributed

5. short for national grid

6. Also called: control grid. electronics

   1. an electrode situated between the cathode and anode of a valve usually consisting of a cylindrical mesh of wires, that controls the flow of electrons between cathode and anode See also screen grid suppressor grid

   2. ( as modifier )

      the grid bias

7. See starting grid

8. a plate in an accumulator that carries the active substance

9. any interconnecting system of links

   the bus service formed a grid across the country

10. Northern English dialect word for face

Other Word Forms

• gridded adjective

Word History and Origins

Origin of grid¹

First recorded in 1830–40; short for gridiron

Word History and Origins

Origin of grid¹

C19: back formation from _gridiron

Idioms and Phrases

Idioms

1. off grid. See off-grid. Also off the grid

Example Sentences

Labor costs are high, local acid supply is scarce, power prices are expensive, and the grid is unreliable.

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It also will upgrade the power grid External link for the Naval Air Station Oceana in Virginia Beach.

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Seeded countries will all go into position one, with a pre-determined random grid determining how all other countries will slot into the group to create the fixtures.

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In an autobiographical summary of his career, Meyer said his favorite toy design was Lite-Brite, which allows people to create colorful designs by plugging plastic pegs into a grid.

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While the broadcast captures the leisurely stroll down a 2.5-mile stretch of Midtown Manhattan, the breakdown is a race against New York’s impatient grid.

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Related Words

• framework 
• network