gridiron

American  

[grid-ahy-ern] / ˈgrɪdˌaɪ ərn /

noun

1. a football field.

2. a utensil consisting of parallel metal bars on which to broil meat or other food.

3. any framework or network resembling a gridiron.

4. a structure above the stage of a theater, from which hung scenery and the like are manipulated.

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verb (used with object)

1. to mark off into squares or design with a network of squares.

gridiron British  

/ ˈɡrɪdˌaɪən /

noun

1. a utensil of parallel metal bars, used to grill meat, fish, etc

2. any framework resembling this utensil

3. a framework above the stage in a theatre from which suspended scenery, lights, etc, are manipulated

4. 1. the field of play in American football

   2. an informal name for American football

   3. ( as modifier )

      a gridiron hero

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Etymology

Origin of gridiron

1250–1300; Middle English gridirne, gridir ( e ), gridere, variant of gridel griddle; variants in -irne, -ire, etc. are associated by folk etymology with ModE variant irne, ire iron

Explanation

A gridiron is a metal grill used for cooking food over a fire. Don't throw your burgers on your friend's gridiron if she's a strict vegetarian! Just as the word implies, a gridiron is a grid, or two crossed sets of parallel bars, made of iron (or another kind of metal). In addition to cooking gridirons, there are also gridirons that support heavy equipment on film sets. In sports, gridiron is another name for an American football field, marked off in grid-like yard lines. Gridiron shares a Latin root with griddle.

Example Sentences

No one else on the gridiron was big enough or fast enough to guard a 6-foot-5 speed demon whose leaps defied gravity.

From The Wall Street Journal • Feb. 5, 2026

Tickets for the gridiron finale start at around $6,000, making them out of reach for the vast majority of undocumented people, who tend to work in low-paying jobs.

From Barron's • Jan. 30, 2026

Or a gridiron celebration of a certain toaster pastry?

From MarketWatch • Dec. 12, 2025

He was ecstatic when he got in, and quickly realized that his accomplishments on the gridiron paled in comparison to some of his new classmates.

From The Wall Street Journal • Oct. 9, 2025

Donning a gridiron helmet, a white scarf and goggles, Howard slipped behind the wheel and put on a holy show.

From "Seabiscuit: An American Legend" by Laura Hillenbrand

Related Words

• course
• court
• golf course
• green
• park
• range
• stadium
• terrain
• track
• turf