Etymologically
Log in

grid

Etymology and origin of the English word grid

History Permalink
Confidence
Established
Formation
Back-formation
First attested
1839

Pronunciation

  • IPA: /ɡɹɪd/[1]

Etymology

It is a back-formation from gridiron,[2][3][4][5] or a shortening of gridiron or griddle.[6]

Earliest recorded meaning

A framework of parallel bars, a grating: 1839.[2][7][6][4]

Semantic evolution

In electricity, a perforated or ribbed lead plate in a battery is from 1884,[7] and the electrode controlling the current in a valve from 1907.[7] A network of lines crossing to form squares, as on a map, followed,[8][9] and a network of power transmission lines is attested by 1926.[6] The city-planning grid is from 1954, hence gridlock.[6] In motor racing, the starting positions marked on the track are also called the grid.[4][10]

Timeline

  • 1839 – a grating.[2][7]
  • 1884 – a battery plate.[7]
  • 1907 – a valve electrode.[7]
  • 1926 – an electricity network.[6]
  • 1954 – a street grid.[6]

Modern meaning

Noun

  1. A framework of crossed or parallel bars; a grating.
  2. A pattern of horizontal and vertical lines forming squares, as used on maps.
  3. A network of cables or pipes for distributing electricity, gas or water.
  4. The starting positions of cars in a motor race.
  5. An electrode in an electron tube that controls the flow of electrons.

Word family

  • gridded
  • gridder
  • gridiron
  • gridlock
  • grid road
  • griddle
  • grate
  • grill

References

  1. ^ Wiktionary, the free dictionary, https://en.wiktionary.org
  2. ^ a b c Barnhart, Robert K. (1988), The Barnhart Dictionary of Etymology
  3. ^ Hoad, T. F., ed. (1986), The Concise Oxford Dictionary of English Etymology, Oxford: Clarendon Press
  4. ^ a b c Merriam-Webster Unabridged Dictionary (2024), online ed., Springfield, Mass.: Merriam-Webster
  5. ^ Pearsall, Judy, ed. (1998), The New Oxford Dictionary of English, Oxford: Clarendon Press
  6. ^ a b c d e f Harper, Douglas. Online Etymology Dictionary, https://www.etymonline.com
  7. ^ a b c d e f Simpson, J. A.; Weiner, E. S. C., eds. (1989), The Oxford English Dictionary, 2nd ed., Oxford: Clarendon Press
  8. ^ The American Heritage Dictionary of the English Language (1992), 3rd ed., Boston: Houghton Mifflin
  9. ^ Collins English Dictionary (2023), Glasgow: HarperCollins
  10. ^ Kay, Christian; Roberts, Jane; Samuels, Michael; Wotherspoon, Irené, eds. (2009), Historical Thesaurus of the Oxford English Dictionary, Oxford: Oxford University Press; online edition (2024)
Cite this entry

“Grid.” Etymologically, 16 Oct. 2026, etymologically.com/en/grid. Accessed 16 Oct. 2026.

Last edited on . ·