grating

1
[ grey-ting ]
See synonyms for grating on Thesaurus.com
noun
  1. a fixed frame of bars or the like covering an opening to exclude persons, animals, coarse material, or objects while admitting light, air, or fine material.

Origin of grating

1
First recorded in 1605–15; grat(e)1 + -ing1

Other definitions for grating (2 of 2)

grating2
[ grey-ting ]

adjective
  1. irritating or unpleasant to one's feelings.

  2. (of a sound or noise) harsh, discordant, or rasping.

Origin of grating

2
First recorded in 1555–65; grat(e)2 + -ing2

Other words from grating

  • grat·ing·ly, adverb

Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2024

How to use grating in a sentence

  • From the broken gratings in front, the bit of rope and strip of blanket were left dangling in the wind.

  • From both the engine rooms ladders and gratings gave direct access to the boat deck.

    Loss of the Steamship 'Titanic' | British Government
  • Light and air were only admitted by small gratings on the sides of the roofing, which was about level with the ground outside.

  • Go up into the roof, and keep a good look-out from the little gratings; but keep away, so as not to show your face.

    Mass' George | George Manville Fenn
  • Peter Gross listened for a while to the lad's rhythmic breathing, then tip-toed to the gratings and pulled himself up to them.

    The Argus Pheasant | John Charles Beecham

British Dictionary definitions for grating (1 of 2)

grating1

/ (ˈɡreɪtɪŋ) /


noun
  1. Also called: grate a framework of metal bars in the form of a grille set into a wall, pavement, etc, serving as a cover or guard but admitting air and sometimes light

British Dictionary definitions for grating (2 of 2)

grating2

/ (ˈɡreɪtɪŋ) /


adjective
  1. (of sounds) harsh and rasping

  2. annoying; irritating

noun
  1. (often plural) something produced by grating

Derived forms of grating

  • gratingly, adverb

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