grist

noun

ˈgrist 

1

a

: grain or a batch of grain for grinding

b

: the product obtained from a grist of grain including the flour or meal and the grain offals

2

: a required or usual amount

3

: matter of interest or value forming the basis of a story or analysis

4

: something turned to advantage or use

—used especially in the phrase grist for one's mill

Examples of grist in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

But Trump’s dim views of Gaza as a permanent home for Palestinians was certain to provide grist for far-right allies of the Israeli leader, who have called on Netanyahu to abandon the temporary truce that was struck last month. —Cnn.com Wire Service, The Mercury News, 4 Feb. 2025

The singer’s pile-ups and pile-ons of bad news over the last few years are the sort that would throw anybody for a loop, never mind make for unbelievable songwriting grist. —Chris Willman, Variety, 25 Oct. 2024

Those are just intermediary steps that are merely grist for the mill. —Lance Eliot, Forbes, 15 Jan. 2025

My encounters with dancing baseball players and rotating snow brooms were not grist for the mill of public discussion; this experience was unique to me. —Cal Newport, The New Yorker, 15 Jan. 2025

Word History

Etymology

Middle English, from Old English grīst; akin to Old English grindan to grind

First Known Use

before the 12th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1a

Phrases Containing grist

• grist for one's/the mill
• grist to one's/the mill

Kids Definition

grist

noun

ˈgrist 

: grain to be ground or already ground