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

If care is taken and you remember to keep a strong twist on the strand while "laying up" the grommet, the finished ring will be as firm and smooth and endless as the original rope.

From Knots, Splices and Rope Work A Practical Treatise by Verrill, A. Hyatt (Alpheus Hyatt)

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

The silvery grommets and distinct colorways, including light blue, geranium and mango, make this an eye-catching addition to your wardrobe.

From Los Angeles Times ● Mar. 9, 2023

But they realized they needed an additional buffer, so they hung a removable soundproof curtain on the molding of the kitchen door to the basement, using grommets and hook-and-loop fasteners.

From Washington Post ● Dec. 21, 2022

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

The bright orange tarpaulin was held down by a strong nylon rope that wove its way between metal grommets in the tarpaulin and blunt hooks on the side of the boat.

From "Life of Pi" by Yann Martel