Word Pronunciation & Dictionary

gridiron

/ˈɡɹɪdaɪən/

Word Rarity Rare

Frequency: 2.66 in modern English

Syllables
grid-iron
IPA
/ˈɡɹɪdaɪən/
10
Scrabble Score
8
Letters
3
Syllables
6
Unique Chars

Meaning

noun

An instrument of torture on which people were secured before being burned by fire.

noun

An iron rack or grate used for broiling meat and fish over coals.

noun

Any object resembling the rack or grate.

Countable; Uncountable

noun

An openwork frame on which vessels are placed for examination, cleaning, and repairs.

Countable; Uncountable

noun

A raised framework from which lighting is suspended.

Countable; Uncountable

noun

The field on which American football is played.

Countable; Uncountable

noun

American and Canadian football, particularly when used to distinguish from other codes of football.

Australian usage; New Zealand usage; Uncountable

verb

To mark or cover with lines; to crisscross.

Example Sentences

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.

Origin

Word Breakdown

  • Root: gridirne, gridel

Regional Pronunciation

  • British English: /ˈɡɹɪdaɪən/

Usage

Inflected Forms

Derived Forms

Phrases

gridiron football gridiron pendulum gridiron valve on the gridiron

Frequently Paired Words

Synonyms

Questions

How do you pronounce gridiron?
The recorded pronunciation is /ˈɡɹɪdaɪən/.
What does gridiron mean?
An instrument of torture on which people were secured before being burned by fire.
Where does gridiron come from?
It is traced to Middle English.

How to pronounce gridiron

  1. Open the pronunciation page — Open the Speakur entry for “gridiron”.
  2. Read the phonetic spelling — Read the IPA spelling (/ˈɡɹɪdaɪən/) so you know which sounds to aim for.
  3. Play the audio — Click Play to hear reference audio for “gridiron”.
  4. Repeat and practice — Say “gridiron” aloud, matching stress and vowels until it feels natural.