Grain
/ɡreɪn/
Definitions
4 meaningsThe small, hard seed of a cereal plant, such as wheat, rice, or corn, often used as food.
/ɡreɪn/
A small, hard seed or seed-like fruit of a cereal plant.
The farmer stored the harvested grain in a large silo.
💡 Simply: Imagine a tiny seed from wheat, rice, or corn! It's the grain we use to make bread, cereal, and other yummy foods.
👶 For kids: A tiny seed that grows into plants like wheat and rice, and we eat it!
More Examples
We need to buy more grain for the chickens.
Wheat is an important grain used to make bread.
How It's Used
"Farmers harvested the grain in late summer."
"Whole-wheat grain is a healthy source of fiber."
A small, hard particle of a substance, especially a natural one like sand or wood.
/ɡreɪn/
A small, hard particle of any substance.
The artist carefully aligned the grains of sand in the sculpture.
💡 Simply: It's like a tiny bit or particle, like the little specks in wood or sand.
👶 For kids: A tiny, tiny piece of something, like the little bumps in wood or sand.
More Examples
The grain of the leather was smooth and supple.
The photograph had too much grain.
How It's Used
"The grain of the wood was clearly visible."
"High ISO settings often result in more grain in the image."
A unit of weight, typically used for small quantities (1/7000th of a pound avoirdupois).
/ɡreɪn/
A unit of weight equal to a small fraction of an ounce.
Add a grain of salt to the mixture.
💡 Simply: It's like a super, super small amount we sometimes use in cooking or measuring medicines.
👶 For kids: A tiny, tiny bit of weight, like a super small pinch!
More Examples
The pharmacist measured the medicine in grains.
This recipe needs just a grain of pepper.
How It's Used
"The recipe calls for a grain of salt."
"The dosage was measured in grains."
To cause a surface to have a texture resembling the arrangement of grains or fibers.
/ɡreɪn/
To form or become granular; to give a surface a textured look.
The artist grained the canvas to create a unique texture.
💡 Simply: To make something have a textured look, like the wood.
👶 For kids: To make something look like it has little lines or bumps!
More Examples
The photographer intentionally grained the photo for an artistic effect.
The old paper began to grain over time.
How It's Used
"The artist used a special technique to grain the paper."
"The image will grain if you increase the ISO."
Idioms & expressions
against the grain
Contrary to one's nature, habits, or inclinations; not in accordance with something.
"It went against the grain to speak up in the meeting."
From Old French grain, from Latin granum ('seed, grain').
The word 'grain' has been used since the 13th century, originally referring to cereal grains and seeds.