ENGLISH
REFERENCE

grenade

n. · v.
US //ɡɹəˈneɪd// UK //ɡɹənˈeɪd// grenade
  1. 1 explosive device (n.)
    B2 Upper Intermediate

    a small bomb that is designed to be thrown by hand or fired from a special gun.

    a small explosive, incendiary, or gas-filled projectile designed to be thrown by hand or launched from a rifle.

    Example

    The soldiers practiced throwing a dummy grenade during their training exercise.

    Example

    The infantry unit deployed smoke grenades to provide visual cover while they retreated across the open field.
  2. 2 engine failure (v.)
    C2 Proficiency Slang Technical Technical

    when an engine breaks apart suddenly and violently.

    to suffer a catastrophic mechanical failure in which internal components break apart and exit the engine casing.

    Example

    The race car's engine grenaded on the final lap of the competition.

    Example

    The mechanic explained that the turbocharger had over-boosted, causing the entire engine block to grenade under the extreme pressure.

    Usage

    Usually used in the intransitive sense when describing mechanical parts.
Origin

Borrowed from French grenade, from Old French grenate in the phrase pomme grenate (“pomegranate”), ultimately from Medieval Latin pomum (“apple”) + granatum (“having grains”). The -d developed in French under influence of Spanish granada. Doublet of garnet.

Etymology adapted from Wiktionary, available under CC BY-SA 4.0.

Idioms1 entry

Last updated June 20, 2026