grommet

American  

[grom-it] / ˈgrɒm ɪt /

noun

• grommets
  plural

1. Machinery.

   1. any of various rings or eyelets of metal or the like.

   2. an insulated washer of rubber or plastic, inserted in a hole in a metal part to prevent grounding of a wire passing through the hole.

2. Nautical.

   1. a ring or strop of fiber or wire; becket.

   2. a ring having a thickness of three strands, made by forming a loop of a single strand, then laying the ends around the loop.

   3. a ring of fiber used as a seal or gasket, as under the head of a bolt.

3. a washer or packing for sealing joints between sections of pipe.

4. Military. a stiff ring of rubber or metal inside the top of a service cap, designed to keep the top of the cap stretched flat.

5. a metal-bound eyelet in cloth, sometimes used decoratively, as on a garment.

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verb (used with object)

1. to fasten with a grommet.

grommet British  

/ ˈɡrɒmɪt /

noun

1. a ring of rubber or plastic or a metal eyelet designed to line a hole to prevent a cable or pipe passed through it from chafing

2. a ring of rope hemp used to stuff the gland of a pipe joint

3. med a small tube inserted into the eardrum in cases of glue ear in order to allow air to enter the middle ear

4. informal a young or inexperienced surfer

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Other Word Forms

Noun Inflected Forms

• grommets
  plural

Etymology

Origin of grommet

First recorded in 1620–30, grommet is from the obsolete French word gromette curb of bridle < ?

Explanation

A grommet is a small circle of metal that protects a hole meant for threading a cord or cable through. You lace up your favorite boots by threading a shoelace through grommets. The eyelets on your shoes are just one type of grommet. The metal rings at the top of a shower curtain that connect to the sliding hooks on the rod are also grommets, as are the reinforced holes in a sail meant for threading ropes through. Holes in sheet metal often have grommets to protect cords and cables from being cut on the sharp metal. A grommet, which was originally "a wreath of rope," is a useful gadget.

Example Sentences

See Examples For:

grommet grommets

A recent series of color photos posted on Instagram shows model José Hernandez outside wearing high-waist, baggy jeans, paired with a white tank with a grommet in the middle.

From Los Angeles Times ● Sep. 14, 2022

Instead of sitting atop of your desk, it clamps to the side or back of your desk or in a grommet hole, not taking up too much desk real estate in the process.

From The Verge ● Jul. 22, 2022

An iron hook bought in 1919 that had scraped against its grommet for a full century finally snapped.

From Washington Post ● Aug. 19, 2021

The rest, from the top of the rubber grommet upward, is “standard public domain,” Johnson said - a standard valve stem with a standard core “like in billions and billions of tires.”

From Washington Times ● Mar. 14, 2020

Also, a large rope grommet, to place shot in on deck.

From The Sailor's Word-Book An Alphabetical Digest of Nautical Terms, including Some More Especially Military and Scientific, but Useful to Seamen; as well as Archaisms of Early Voyagers, etc. by Sir Edward Belcher

It only takes one glance from the security guard — their eye catching the light dancing off of the studs, the spikes, the grommets, the O-rings, the chains — to understand.

From Los Angeles Times ● Aug. 12, 2026

The most common procedures are the insertion of grommets in the ears, removal of tonsils and adenoids, and orthopaedic surgery.

From BBC ● Jun. 18, 2024

On her wrist, she wore a wide brown leather band inlaid with small brass grommets, a delicate ladies Westclock watch embedded in it—a perfect contradiction of girlish and rocker style.

From Salon ● Oct. 19, 2022

Accessories include an updated Jackie Bag covered with grommets.

From Seattle Times ● Jun. 20, 2022

Just as Leo finished his modifications, a big storm goddess came along and smacked the grommets right out of his ship.

From "Blood of Olympus" by Rick Riordan