grout

1 of 2

noun

ˈgrau̇t 

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

: plaster

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

Reduce openings that offer termites access to the structure (filling cracks in cement foundations as well as around where utilities pass through the wall with cement, grout, or caulk). —Marley Malenfant, Austin American-Statesman, 17 Sep. 2024

Emollients are lipids that act like grout between skin cells to prevent that water from evaporating; Dr. Kim points to ceramides and fatty acids. —Emily Orofino, Allure, 24 Oct. 2024

Verb

As with countertop tiles, don’t neglect the stains that stick to grout. —Mary Cornetta, Better Homes & Gardens, 29 Oct. 2024

Here are the grouting mistakes to watch out for to avoid this fate. —Kamron Sanders, Better Homes & Gardens, 21 July 2024

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