hand grenade

Save This Word!

noun

a grenade or explosive shell that is thrown by hand and exploded either by impact or by means of a fuze.

a grenade or glass missile containing a chemical, for extinguishing fire.

QUIZ

CAN YOU ANSWER THESE COMMON GRAMMAR DEBATES?

There are grammar debates that never die; and the ones highlighted in the questions in this quiz are sure to rile everyone up once again. Do you know how to answer the questions that cause some of the greatest grammar debates?

Question 1 of 7

Which sentence is correct?

His boss, whom he admires, is waiting to meet with him about the big project.

His boss, who he admires, is waiting to meet with him about the big project.

TAKE THE QUIZ TO FIND OUT

Origin of hand grenade

First recorded in 1655–65

Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023

How to use hand grenade in a sentence

In any event, for the Kudo-kai, the police arrest of their top dog is expected to have the impact of a well-thrown hand grenade.
The Case of the Yakking Yakuza|Jake Adelstein|September 16, 2014|DAILY BEAST
On December 20, 2012, a hand grenade exploded at the headquarters of the Dojin-kai in Kita-Kyushu, Fukuoka Prefecture.
The Great Japanese Gang Wars|Jake Adelstein, Nathalie-Kyoko Stucky|June 25, 2013|DAILY BEAST
One of the raiding party threw a hand grenade inside the structure.
Ned, Bob and Jerry on the Firing Line|Clarence Young
But Jerry sprang up again, and, seeing a 141 knot of Germans just ahead of him, tossed a hand grenade among them.
Ned, Bob and Jerry on the Firing Line|Clarence Young

I never see a hand grenade without thinking how difficult it is just now to be a hero in France.
The White Road to Verdun|Kathleen Burke
Ton d'apameibomenos fell like a hand-grenade amongst Motte's papers, and blew him up effectually in the opinion of the multitude.
The Uncollected Writings of Thomas de Quincey--Vol. 1|Thomas de Quincey
Of these guns one was disposed of by a sergeant, who, crawling forward, threw a hand-grenade amongst its team.
The History of the 51st (Highland) Division 1914-1918|Frederick William Bewsher

British Dictionary definitions for hand grenade

hand grenade

noun

a small metal or plastic canister containing explosives, usually activated by a short fuse and used in close combat

Collins English Dictionary - Complete & Unabridged 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012