grinder

American  

[grahyn-der] / ˈgraɪn dər /

noun

1. a person or thing that grinds.

2. a kitchen device or appliance for grinding food.

3. a sharpener of tools.

4. a molar tooth.

5. Chiefly New England and Inland North. hero sandwich.

6. Informal. grinders, the teeth.

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grinder British  

/ ˈɡraɪndə /

noun

1. a person who grinds, esp one who grinds cutting tools

2. a machine for grinding

3. a molar tooth

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Regionalisms

See hero sandwich.

Etymology

Origin of grinder

First recorded in 1350–1400; Middle English; grind + -er ¹

Example Sentences

Larry Friedman, a lawyer at Barnes, Richardson & Colburn, remembers arguing a case before Eaton over whether an industrial grinder should be deemed a shredder.

From The Wall Street Journal • Mar. 14, 2026

Each time Parke returns with his wagon and angle grinder, some locks have respawned.

From The Wall Street Journal • Mar. 10, 2026

Electronic tchotchkes are ubiquitous but many people have little or no access to nutritious food or health care as our environment is run through a meat grinder and set on fire.

From Salon • Feb. 20, 2026

Hamilton coach Elijah Asante said, “Coach Chesney is a grinder and he’s going to find those hidden gems.”

From Los Angeles Times • Jan. 28, 2026

A man and a woman carried over a huge chainsaw, followed by the stump grinder.

From "Wishtree" by Katherine Applegate

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