grout

1 of 2

noun

1
a
: thin mortar used for filling spaces (such as the joints in masonry)
also : any of various other materials (such as a mixture of cement and water or chemicals that solidify) used for a similar purpose
b
2
: lees

grout

2 of 2

verb

grouted; grouting; grouts

transitive verb

1
: to fill up or finish with grout
2
: to fix in place by means of grout
grout a bolt into a wall
grouter noun

Examples of grout in a Sentence

Verb I need to grout the bathroom tiles.
Recent Examples on the Web
Noun
There are many reasons why your grout turns gray, brown or black. USA TODAY, 3 Mar. 2024 This works fabulously on hard flooring, as the vacuum can sense where crumbs may be collecting in the grout in tile floors or pick up any debris lodged under bits of natural wood. Madison Yauger, Peoplemag, 1 Mar. 2024 The muck was reportedly filled with the typical construction byproducts of sand, silt, and water, but also accelerants used to set the grout in the tunnels. Demetrius Simms, Robb Report, 27 Feb. 2024 The accelerants cure the grout that seals the tunnel’s concrete supports, helping the grout set properly and protecting the work against cracks and other deterioration. Andy Kalmowitz / Jalopnik, Quartz, 26 Feb. 2024 The lawsuit says grout used by a city contractor in early 2022 clogged a lateral pipe near the building, at 6560 Montezuma Road. David Garrick, San Diego Union-Tribune, 26 Feb. 2024 It’s equipped with two cleaning modes and four replaceable heads designed to scrub all sorts of grime off of bathtubs, tiles, grout lines, and more. Clara McMahon, Peoplemag, 15 Feb. 2024 Each tile abuts those next to it, so there are no grout lines or gaps, just a smooth stretch of gorgeous mother of pearl. Sarah Halverson, Better Homes & Gardens, 8 Jan. 2024 Without much scrubbing, the paste formula removes dirt, grime, and buildup from grout lines. Cai Cramer, Peoplemag, 3 Feb. 2024
Verb
Despite that grandeur, nothing outshines the primary bathroom, which appears to be custom everything, including the dual sinks, bathtub, and rain shower that is grouted in 24k gold. Tj MacIas, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 5 Feb. 2024 Glossy and gorgeously mottled, these seafoam green scallops look like shiny ceramic tiles grouted in gleaming white—but they’re actually peel and stick squares made of durable, flexible PVC. Sarah Halverson, Better Homes & Gardens, 8 Jan. 2024 Made of vinyl, these lay directly over existing tiles and don’t require mapping out a new tile pattern or grouting edges. Jamie Killin, Washington Post, 20 Sep. 2023 For good measure, clean your tile and grout one last time using a mild dish soap or tile cleaner. Alyssa Longobucco, House Beautiful, 16 Aug. 2023 This backsplash solution is a quick weekend update and easier to install around existing cabinets and appliances than grouting and setting real tiles. Kristina McGuirk, Better Homes & Gardens, 14 Aug. 2023 Founded in 1951 for those who grout tile and hang cabinets, the periodical was no match for Prince Harry’s memoir or a Stephen King novel. Jeffrey Fleishman, Los Angeles Times, 9 Aug. 2023 In grit crust, the stones provide the structure, but the microbes colonize them in a coherent sheet — like a thin layer of resin grouting together a rock garden. Zack Savitsky, Quanta Magazine, 12 July 2023 For example, grout cleaners with acid or ammonia could damage natural stone. Brittany Vanderbill, Better Homes & Gardens, 27 Mar. 2023

These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'grout.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.

Word History

Etymology

Noun

Middle English grut, grout "crushed grain for malt, infused malt, thick, dark ale, mud, slime," going back to Old English grūt "coarse meal, dregs, spent malt after brewing," going back to Germanic *grūta- (whence also Middle Dutch grute, gruut "herb mixture used in beer brewing," Middle High German grūz "a grain, grain of sand"), lengthened zero grade noun derivative from *greutan- "to grind, crush" — more at grit entry 1

Note: Sense 1, which first appears in the seventeenth century, is of uncertain relation to the earlier senses and perhaps of independent origin. Oxford English Dictionary, first edition, suggests a connection to Middle French (Limousin) grouter "to rough-cast," Limousin Occitan greutā, but this isolated word, itself of unknown origin, is of unlikely relevance.

Verb

derivative of grout entry 1

First Known Use

Noun

1638, in the meaning defined at sense 1a

Verb

1838, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Time Traveler
The first known use of grout was in 1638

Dictionary Entries Near grout

Cite this Entry

“Grout.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/grout. Accessed 28 Mar. 2024.

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