# grid

Pronunciation: US say "GRID" /ɡɹɪd/; UK

## Noun

1. A rectangular arrangement of equal-sized squares or rectangles in rows and columns, as in a crossword puzzle.
   - Simple: A pattern of equal-sized squares or rectangles arranged in straight rows and columns.
   - _He sketched a grid of nine boxes before starting the Sudoku layout._
   - _The designer aligned every element on the page to an invisible grid._
2. A system for delivering electricity, made up of substations, transformers, and generators linked together by wires.
   - Simple: The network of wires and stations that carries electricity to homes and businesses.
   - _Engineers worked through the night to bring the regional grid back online._
   - _Surplus power from the wind farm feeds straight into the national grid._
3. A system of lines that divides a map into numbered areas, used to locate and reference points precisely.
   - Simple: A pattern of crossing lines that splits a map into squares so places are easy to find.
   - _The hikers gave their position as a six-figure grid reference._
   - _Surveyors overlaid a grid on the regional chart to plot each sample site._
4. A framework of parallel metal bars set with gaps between them, also called a gridiron.
   - Simple: A set of parallel metal bars with spaces between them, much like a grate.
   - _The cook turned the sausages on the iron grid above the fire._
   - _Rainwater drained through the slotted grid in the gutter._
5. An arrangement of regular polygons that tiles a flat surface without gaps or overlaps, as in a honeycomb.
   - Simple: A pattern that covers a flat surface with shapes that fit together with no gaps, like a honeycomb.
   - _The mosaic forms a perfect grid of interlocking hexagons._
   - _Engineers modeled the panel as a triangular grid covering the whole surface._
6. The arranged pattern of starting positions assigned to the drivers at the start of a race.
   - Simple: The set of marked starting spots where racers line up at the start of a race.
   - _She qualified second and will line up on the front row of the grid._
   - _A penalty dropped him five places down the grid for Sunday's race._
9. A structure of distributed computers, working largely peer-to-peer, harnessed together to solve complex scientific problems or process data at high speed.
   - Simple: A group of many computers linked together to share work and solve big problems faster.
   - _Climate scientists ran the simulation across a worldwide computing grid._
   - _The university linked its idle machines into a grid for protein-folding research._
10. An openwork framework above a stage or studio, used for rigging lights and other equipment.
   - Simple: An open framework high above a stage where lights and equipment are hung.
   - _A technician walked the grid to refocus each lamp before the show._
   - _The new theater's grid can support several tons of rigging._
11. A grating-like plate inside a battery, such as a zinc plate in a primary cell or a lead plate in a storage battery.
   - Simple: A metal plate shaped like a grate that holds the working material inside a battery.
   - _The lead grid in the storage cell supports the paste that holds the charge._
   - _Manufacturers cast each grid from a lead alloy for added strength._
12. The third or higher electrode of a vacuum tube, such as the one found in a triode.
   - Simple: An electrode placed inside a vacuum tube, between the other two parts.
   - _In a triode, the grid sits between the cathode and the anode._
   - _A small change in voltage at the grid produces a large change in current._

## Verb

7. To mark a surface with a pattern of crossing lines that form squares.
   - Simple: To draw a pattern of crossing lines over something.
   - _Quilters grid the fabric with chalk lines before cutting each piece._
   - _He gridded the old map before sketching in the terrain._
8. To assign a reference grid to a map or area so points can be located.
   - Simple: To give a map or area a system of lines and numbers for finding places.
   - _Surveyors grid the terrain so each find can be logged by coordinate._
   - _After they gridded the excavation, every artifact received a precise reference._
13. To enter data or answers into the cells of a grid.
   - Simple: To write information into the squares of a grid.
   - _Test-takers grid their responses in the boxes provided on the answer sheet._
   - _The teacher showed them how to grid the multiple-choice answers correctly._

## Origin

The word comes as a shortening or back-formation of 'griddle' or 'gridiron'.

Source: DictionaryAI, https://dictionaryai.com/define/grid (written from Wiktionary data, CC BY-SA 4.0: https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/4.0/).