grate

Grate is a term with several related meanings in English. In its most common noun senses, a grate is a framework of metal bars or a lattice that sits over an opening to provide support and protection while allowing air or liquid to pass. Grates are widely used in fireplaces, where a fire grate holds the fuel and permits combustion to occur with adequate airflow; in drainage systems, drain grates cover openings to catch debris while letting water flow through; and in ventilation or flooring, grate or grating coverings allow air movement or light access while providing a protective surface.

In cooking, the noun form often appears as part of the tool known as a grater, which has sharp perforations or edges for shredding or zesting food. The verb form, to grate, means to rub or shred food against a rough surface, producing small pieces (as in grating cheese or citrus zest). It can also mean to rub something rough against another surface to wear it away, or, figuratively, to irritate someone, as in “the noise began to grate on him.” The phrase to grate on is commonly used to describe something that becomes annoying over time.

Etymology traces grate to Old French grater, meaning to scratch or scrape, related to the function of removing material by abrasion. The word has persisted in both the protective framework sense (the metal grate) and the act or tool sense (to grate or grater) across various domains, including construction, cooking, and everyday language.