Grid
/ɡrɪd/
Definitions
2 meaningsA framework of uniformly spaced lines, usually horizontal and vertical, that intersect to form a series of squares or rectangles.
/ɡrɪd/
A network of lines or bars
The city map showed the road network as a grid.
💡 Simply: Imagine a sheet of graph paper. That's a grid! It's like a bunch of lines making squares, used to organize things like maps or even seating at a concert.
👶 For kids: A grid is like a bunch of lines that make boxes. You can use them to draw pictures or find your way on a map!
More Examples
The data was organized in a grid for easy analysis.
Engineers use a grid to lay out the foundation of a building.
How It's Used
"The map was displayed as a grid of squares."
"The coordinates were determined by the gridlines."
"The football team lined up on the grid."
To mark with or divide into a grid.
/ɡrɪd/
To cover or mark with a grid
The cartographer gridded the map to provide accurate coordinates.
💡 Simply: If you're putting lines on something to make a grid, like drawing squares on a paper, you are 'gridding' it. Think of preparing for a game or a design.
👶 For kids: Gridding means to draw lines on something to make squares.
More Examples
Before painting, she gridded the canvas to ensure accurate proportions.
How It's Used
"The map was gridded to help locate points."
"The artist gridded the canvas before starting the painting."
Idioms & expressions
gridlock
A situation where movement is completely blocked.
"Traffic was stuck in gridlock for hours after the accident."
From Middle English 'grid', likely from Old English *grid* (a grating or frame), of uncertain origin. Possibly related to words meaning 'to grate' or 'to cross'.
Historically, 'grid' was used to refer to a grating or a framework of bars, similar to modern usage but with less technological context.