1
a(1)
obsolete
: a single small hard seed
(2)
: a seed or fruit of a cereal grass : caryopsis
b
: the seeds or fruits of various food plants including the cereal grasses and in commercial and statutory usage other plants (such as the soybean)
c
: plants producing grain
2
a(1)
: a small hard particle or crystal
(2)
: any of the particles produced in a photographic material by its development
also
: the size of such grains in the aggregate
(3)
: an individual crystal in a metal
b
: a minute portion or particle
c
: the least amount possible
a grain of truth
3
4
a
: a granulated surface or appearance
b
: the outer or hair side of a skin or hide
5
: a unit of weight based on the weight of a grain of wheat taken as an average of the weight of grains from the middle of the ear see Weights and Measures Table
6
a
: the stratification of the wood fibers in a piece of wood
b
: a texture due to constituent particles or fibers
the grain of a rock
c
: the direction of threads in cloth
7
: tactile quality
8
a
: natural disposition : temper
lying goes against my grain
b
: a basic or characteristic quality
c
: a prevalent ideology or convention
teaching against the grain
grainless
adjective
grained; graining; grains
: to become granular : granulate
grainer
noun
Synonyms
Examples of grain in a Sentence
Noun
bread made from whole wheat grain
The machine grinds grain into flour.
The farm grows a variety of grains.
Anyone with a grain of sense knows that she's lying.
There is not a grain of truth in what he said.
Recent Examples on the Web
Johnny Dodd, Peoplemag, 5 Apr. 2024
Thus, the film’s white-knuckle finale boils down to a miniscule misstep, one that reveals how espionage is vulnerable even to a grain of sand.
—Dennis Perkins, EW.com, 5 Apr. 2024
Federal health officials say fentanyl can be more than 50 times more powerful than heroin, and even a dose the size of a grain of rice can be fatal.
—USA TODAY, 4 Apr. 2024
City officials expect to find a better quality of sand with larger grains in the offshore deposits.
—Phil Diehl, San Diego Union-Tribune, 4 Apr. 2024
Classifying potatoes as a grain could lead to people who rely on government meal programs spending more on vegetables.
—Daniel Schrager, Idaho Statesman, 30 Mar. 2024
Eat a nutrient-rich diet: Consume plenty of fruits, grains, low-fat or nonfat dairy, and vegetables.
—Wendy Wisner, Health, 27 Mar. 2024
Pollen update: Tree pollen is low/moderate at 10.54 grains per cubic meter of air.
—Ian Livingston, Washington Post, 25 Mar. 2024
Chefs use fire, smoke, coals and embers to cook meat, seafood, grains and vegetables in dishes such as cedar plank-roasted branzino, Ora King salmon and burrata, lobster arrabbiata spaghetti, baked tagliolini, roasted mushrooms with white truffle oil, tomahawk and Wagyu steaks and more.
—Pam Kragen, San Diego Union-Tribune, 22 Mar. 2024
Kevin Koenig, Robb Report, 5 Mar. 2024
Clients have the opportunity to select their preferred color and type of leather, ranging from standards like smoothed or grained calfskin, cordovan, or suede, as well as Suzuki’s enviable selection of exotic skins including crocodile, lizard, and ostrich.
—Eric Twardzik, Robb Report, 31 Jan. 2024
The interior woodwork was richly grained and snugly fit, the doors were satisfyingly heavy, and the drawers closed softly, with no rattling.
—Kevin Koenig, Robb Report, 15 Nov. 2023
The rest of the space, which includes his and hers vanities, is minimalist and serene, with lavender veined marble and naturally grained wood.
—Jessica Cherner, House Beautiful, 8 Mar. 2023
Modifications to the hand-wound caliber 2956 dial include the openworking of the bridges at four and six o’clock, removal of the railway track and a change from a circular graining decoration in favor of the satin finish and traits tirés beveling on the upper components.
—Carol Besler, Robb Report, 27 Feb. 2023
However, most dogs with skin allergies are not allergic to grain itself.
—Amber Smith, Discover Magazine, 23 Oct. 2022
White Ash features more subtle graining while Black Ash has a dark grain that contrasts with its light background.
—Hadley Keller, House Beautiful, 13 Mar. 2020
The cereal grains mixed with clover attract deer first while the brassicas stand tall and are accessible above snow in northern areas for late-season forage.
—Gerald Almy, Field & Stream, 14 Feb. 2020
Noun
That’s about the size of a grain of sand, a grain of salt, a sesame seed.
—Johnny Dodd, Peoplemag, 5 Apr. 2024
Thus, the film’s white-knuckle finale boils down to a miniscule misstep, one that reveals how espionage is vulnerable even to a grain of sand.
—Dennis Perkins, EW.com, 5 Apr. 2024
Federal health officials say fentanyl can be more than 50 times more powerful than heroin, and even a dose the size of a grain of rice can be fatal.
—USA TODAY, 4 Apr. 2024
City officials expect to find a better quality of sand with larger grains in the offshore deposits.
—Phil Diehl, San Diego Union-Tribune, 4 Apr. 2024
Classifying potatoes as a grain could lead to people who rely on government meal programs spending more on vegetables.
—Daniel Schrager, Idaho Statesman, 30 Mar. 2024
Eat a nutrient-rich diet: Consume plenty of fruits, grains, low-fat or nonfat dairy, and vegetables.
—Wendy Wisner, Health, 27 Mar. 2024
Pollen update: Tree pollen is low/moderate at 10.54 grains per cubic meter of air.
—Ian Livingston, Washington Post, 25 Mar. 2024
Chefs use fire, smoke, coals and embers to cook meat, seafood, grains and vegetables in dishes such as cedar plank-roasted branzino, Ora King salmon and burrata, lobster arrabbiata spaghetti, baked tagliolini, roasted mushrooms with white truffle oil, tomahawk and Wagyu steaks and more.
—Pam Kragen, San Diego Union-Tribune, 22 Mar. 2024
Verb
The teak across the main deck was richly grained, with snug joinery.
—Kevin Koenig, Robb Report, 5 Mar. 2024
Clients have the opportunity to select their preferred color and type of leather, ranging from standards like smoothed or grained calfskin, cordovan, or suede, as well as Suzuki’s enviable selection of exotic skins including crocodile, lizard, and ostrich.
—Eric Twardzik, Robb Report, 31 Jan. 2024
The interior woodwork was richly grained and snugly fit, the doors were satisfyingly heavy, and the drawers closed softly, with no rattling.
—Kevin Koenig, Robb Report, 15 Nov. 2023
The rest of the space, which includes his and hers vanities, is minimalist and serene, with lavender veined marble and naturally grained wood.
—Jessica Cherner, House Beautiful, 8 Mar. 2023
Modifications to the hand-wound caliber 2956 dial include the openworking of the bridges at four and six o’clock, removal of the railway track and a change from a circular graining decoration in favor of the satin finish and traits tirés beveling on the upper components.
—Carol Besler, Robb Report, 27 Feb. 2023
However, most dogs with skin allergies are not allergic to grain itself.
—Amber Smith, Discover Magazine, 23 Oct. 2022
White Ash features more subtle graining while Black Ash has a dark grain that contrasts with its light background.
—Hadley Keller, House Beautiful, 13 Mar. 2020
The cereal grains mixed with clover attract deer first while the brassicas stand tall and are accessible above snow in northern areas for late-season forage.
—Gerald Almy, Field & Stream, 14 Feb. 2020
These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'grain.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.
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Cite this Entry
“Grain.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/grain. Accessed 18 Apr. 2024.
Copy CitationKids Definition
grain
1 of 2 noun1
a
: the edible seed or seedlike fruit of grasses that are cereals (as wheat, corn, or oats)
b
: the threshed seed or fruits of various food plants (as cereal grasses, flax, peas, or sugarcane)
c
: plants producing grain
2
a
: a small hard particle
a grain of sand
b
: the least amount possible
a grain of truth
3
: a unit of weight based on the weight of a grain of wheat see measure
4
a
: the arrangement of fibers in wood
b
: appearance or feel due to the particles or fibers of which something is composed
the grain of a rock
c
: the direction of threads in cloth
5
: natural disposition : temper
making excuses goes against my grain
grainy
adjective
ˈgrā-nē
grain
2 of 2 verb1
: to form into grains : granulate
2
: to paint in imitation of the grain of wood or stone
grainer
noun
Etymology
Noun
Middle English grain, grein "kernel, seed," from early French grain "cereal plant" and early French graine "seed," both derived from Latin granum "grain, seed" — related to garnet, grenade, pomegranate see Word History at garnet
Medical Definition
grain
noun1
a
: a seed or fruit of a cereal grass
b
: the seeds or fruits of various food plants including the cereal grasses and in commercial and statutory usage other plants (as the soybean)
c
: plants producing grain
2
: a small hard particle or crystal (as of sand or salt)
3
: a unit of avoirdupois, Troy, and apothecaries' weight equal to 0.0648 gram or 0.002286 avoirdupois ounce or 0.002083 Troy ounce
—abbreviation gr
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