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
And serious dark chocolate lovers can get as much as seven grams with 100% cocoa. Audrey Bruno, SELF, 18 June 2025 Meanwhile, in a small saucepan over low heat, melt the remaining 2 tablespoons (28 grams) of butter and set aside. The Washington Post, San Diego Union-Tribune, 18 June 2025 Aim for 90 to 100 grams of protein daily, spread evenly across meals—no more than 30 grams per sitting—for optimal muscle protein synthesis. Emily Cegielski, Flow Space, 17 June 2025 Roasting coffee beans significantly lowers the amount of CGA, so people who drink coffee may end up consuming only 0.5-1 gram of CGA a day.6478 Unroasted coffee, also known as green coffee, can be a good alternative. Lauren O'Connor, Health, 16 June 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 28 Jun. 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

More from Merriam-Webster on gram

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
Love words? Need even more definitions?

Subscribe to America's largest dictionary and get thousands more definitions and advanced search—ad free!