Word
gridiron
Phoneticsgrid·iron
US/ˈɡɹɪˌdaɪɝn/
UK/ɡɹˈɪdaɪən/
Countable noun
Definition
n. a metal frame with bars that you cook food on over a fire. People also use it to mean an American football field because the white lines look like a grill.
n. a metal grate for grilling food over open heat, marked by parallel bars. By extension, an American football field or the game itself, named for the field's lined pattern.
Examples
“He puts corn on the gridiron over the fire.”
“The campers clean the old gridiron before grilling fish over the campfire.”
“Under the stadium lights, the muddy gridiron bore the marks of every tackle, its white yard lines half erased by rain and cleats.”
Examples
simple
“He puts corn on the gridiron over the fire.”
contextual
“The campers clean the old gridiron before grilling fish over the campfire.”
complex
“Under the stadium lights, the muddy gridiron bore the marks of every tackle, its white yard lines half erased by rain and cleats.”
Collocations
Common phrases and expressions where native English speakers use the word “gridiron” in context.
Verb
01. battle on gridiron
“Two unbeaten rivals will battle on the gridiron for the championship title.”
verb + prep + noun
02. dominate gridiron
“The young quarterback continued to dominate the gridiron all season.”
verb + noun
03. heat gridiron
“Heat the gridiron thoroughly before laying the marinated chicken on it.”
verb + noun
04. oil gridiron
“Lightly oil the gridiron to prevent the fish skin from sticking.”
verb + noun
Adjective
05. cast-iron gridiron
“The chef lowered the ribs onto the cast-iron gridiron over glowing coals.”
adj + noun
06. college gridiron
“He became a star on the college gridiron before turning professional.”
adj + noun
Noun
07. bars of gridiron
“Flames licked through the bars of the gridiron, charring the peppers.”
noun + prep + noun
08. hero of gridiron
“The local newspaper hailed the quarterback as a hero of the gridiron.”
noun + prep + noun
09. legend of gridiron
“He is remembered as a true legend of the gridiron and a generous coach.”
noun + prep + noun
10. a legend of the gridiron
“He retired as a legend of the gridiron after fifteen record-breaking seasons.”
11. dominate on the gridiron
“Their defence continued to dominate on the gridiron throughout the playoffs.”
12. lay steaks on the gridiron
“Lay the steaks on the gridiron and sear them for three minutes per side.”
Etymology
From Middle English gridirne, gredirne, gredyron, gredeyron, grydern, grydyryne, girdirin, girderen, variants of Middle English gredire, gredyre, itself an alteration of Middle English gridel (“griddle”). The ending was assimilated to iron, as if from grid + iron, whence grid was later derived.
From resembling the shape of a gridiron (a square rectilinear grid).
Etymology adapted from Wiktionary, available under CC BY-SA 4.0.
Synonyms
Related words
Domains
- Exam level
- CambridgeCambridgeCambridge English QualificationsThe exam suite from Cambridge University Press & Assessment, from A1 Movers up to C2 Proficiency. The benchmark names double as CEFR labels.C2 ProficiencyIELTSIELTSInternational English Language Testing SystemThe 0–9 band test co-owned by the British Council, IDP, and Cambridge. Used for university entry, work, and migration.8.5–9.0TOEFL iBTTOEFL iBTTest of English as a Foreign Language, Internet-Based TestETS's academic English test, the standard route for US university admissions. Scored 0–120, with a 1–6 scale since 2026.1–6 scale: 6.0114–120
- Frequency
- Occasional
- Level
- C2 · Proficiency
- Updated
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