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
Kristen Fischer, Health, 20 Nov. 2024
The company is actively involved in expanding its camelina grain production operations, with contracts for more than 40,000 acres in North America and 60,000 acres in Argentina.
—Quartz Bot, Quartz, 14 Nov. 2024
Carol Besler, Robb Report, 23 Oct. 2024
The Polestar interior also has grained ash wood trim.
—Mark Phelan, Detroit Free Press, 23 Sep. 2024
See all Example Sentences for grain 
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Noun
Filling your plate with whole grains, fruits, protein, and healthy fats—including eggs, yogurt, or whole-wheat toast—is generally considered a nutritious breakfast.
—Kristen Fischer, Health, 20 Nov. 2024
The company is actively involved in expanding its camelina grain production operations, with contracts for more than 40,000 acres in North America and 60,000 acres in Argentina.
—Quartz Bot, Quartz, 14 Nov. 2024
Verb
Bridgework and components can be frosted, grained, or mirror-polished.
—Carol Besler, Robb Report, 23 Oct. 2024
The Polestar interior also has grained ash wood trim.
—Mark Phelan, Detroit Free Press, 23 Sep. 2024
See all Example Sentences for grain
Articles Related to grain
Dictionary Entries Near grain
Cite this Entry
“Grain.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/grain. Accessed 28 Nov. 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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