gram

1 of 5

noun (1)

: any of several leguminous plants (such as a chickpea) grown especially for their seed
also : their seeds

gram

2 of 5

noun (2)

1
: a metric unit of mass equal to ¹/₁₀₀₀ kilogram and nearly equal to the mass of one cubic centimeter of water at its maximum density see Metric System Table
2
: the weight of a gram under the acceleration of gravity

gram

3 of 5

noun (3)

gram

4 of 5

abbreviation

-gram

5 of 5

noun combining form

: drawing : writing : record
chronogram
telegram

Examples of gram in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
Noun
It was found to be safe in doses of 1.6 to 6.4 grams (g) per day for eight weeks. Patty Weasler, Rn, Bsn, Verywell Health, 27 Mar. 2025 This serving size of chickpeas contains 3.6 grams of protein and 3 grams of fiber. Merve Ceylan, Health, 26 Mar. 2025 Since 1967, just over one gram of berkelium has been produced in the United States — the majority of which comes from Oak Ridge National Laboratory in Tennessee. Chase Hunter, Mercury News, 26 Mar. 2025 Each refresher is designed to be a healthier alternative to other leading competitors, with only 8-10 grams of sugar per serving (depending on the flavor). Sophia Beams, Better Homes & Gardens, 26 Mar. 2025 See All Example Sentences for gram

Word History

Etymology

Noun (1)

obsolete Portuguese (now spelled grão), grain, from Latin granum

Noun (2)

French gramme, from Late Latin gramma, a small weight, from Greek grammat-, gramma letter, writing, a small weight, from graphein to write — more at carve

Noun (3)

by shortening & alteration

Noun combining form

Latin -gramma, from Greek, from gramma

First Known Use

Noun (1)

1702, in the meaning defined above

Noun (2)

1810, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Noun (3)

1923, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of gram was in 1702

Browse Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Gram.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/gram. Accessed 31 Mar. 2025.

Kids Definition

gram

1 of 2 noun
ˈgram
1
: a metric unit of mass equal to ¹⁄₁₀₀₀ kilogram and nearly equal to the mass of one cubic centimeter of water at its maximum density see metric system
2
: the weight of a gram of mass

-gram

2 of 2 noun combining form
ˌgram
: drawing : writing : record
telegram
Etymology

Noun combining form

from Latin -gramma "piece of writing, record," derived from Greek gramma "letter," derived from graphein "to write" — related to graffito, grammar, -graph

Medical Definition

gram

noun
variants or chiefly British gramme
1
: a metric unit of mass equal to ¹/₁₀₀₀ kilogram and nearly equal to the mass of one cubic centimeter of water at its maximum density
abbreviation g
2
: the weight of a gram under standard gravity

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