grill

1 of 2

verb

ˈgril 

grilled; grilling; grills

transitive verb

1

: to broil on a grill

also : to fry or toast on a griddle

2

a

: to torment as if by broiling

b

: to question intensely

the police grilled the suspect

griller noun

grill

2 of 2

noun

1

: a cooking utensil of parallel bars on which food is exposed to heat (as from charcoal or electricity)

2

: food that is broiled usually on a grill compare mixed grill

3

: a usually informal restaurant or dining room

Synonyms of grill

Verb

• interrogate
• question
• examine
• pump

Noun

• restaurant
• diner

Examples of grill in a Sentence

Verb

We're planning to grill some chicken and burgers at the cookout.

Her parents grilled her when she came home late.

Noun

She put the hamburgers on the grill.

headed down to the local bar and grill for a beer and a burger

Recent Examples on the Web

Verb

Darden announced plans to reduce the chain’s emphasis on meat products and add salads, wraps, and grilled chicken dishes to its menu. —Silas Morgan, The Orlando Sentinel, 29 Apr. 2026

During his appearances on Capitol Hill this month, Secretary Kennendy was grilled about the administration's defense of the pesticide industry and weakening of protections against mercury pollution, another issue that Kennedy had worked on as an advocate. —Will Stone, NPR, 28 Apr. 2026

Noun

Food is prepared on charcoal- burning grills, giving it a mouthwatering char and aroma that electric grills could never dream of replicating. —Nathanael Gassett, Bon Appetit Magazine, 30 Apr. 2026

Away goes the space normally occupied by pickup trucks and Weber grills. —David Hudnall, Kansas City Star, 30 Apr. 2026

Word History

Etymology

Noun

French gril, from Old French greil, from Latin craticulum — more at griddle entry 1

First Known Use

Verb

1672, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Noun

1685, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Phrases Containing grill

• mixed grill

Rhymes for grill

• bill
• brill
• chill
• drill
• fil
• fill
• frill
• gill
• grille
• jill
• kill
• krill

Kids Definition

grill

1 of 2 verb

ˈgril 

1

: to broil on a grill

2

a

: to torment as if by broiling

b

: to question with repeated questions

grill

2 of 2 noun

1

: a grate on which food is broiled

2

: broiled food

3

: a restaurant that serves broiled foods