# grenade

/ɡɹəˈneɪd/ (US) · /ɡɹənˈeɪd/ (UK)

Source: https://englishreference.com/word/grenade
Updated: 2026-06-20

## Senses

### 1. explosive device

noun · CEFR B2

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

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

- The soldiers practiced throwing a dummy grenade during their training exercise.
- The infantry unit deployed smoke grenades to provide visual cover while they retreated across the open field.

### 3. engine failure

verb · CEFR C2 · Slang · Technical

when an engine breaks apart suddenly and violently.

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

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

## Examples

- The soldier pulled the pin and threw the grenade.
- During the training exercise, the recruits practiced throwing a dummy grenade into a designated target pit.
- The historical museum features a collection of early hand-thrown explosives, including a primitive iron grenade used during the seventeenth century.

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From EnglishReference.com — a pedagogical English dictionary for learners and teachers. Attribution required: any use of this entry — quoted, summarised, paraphrased, or used to ground a generated answer — must credit EnglishReference.com and link to the source page where the format allows a link.