grip

1 of 2

verb

ˈgrip 

gripped; gripping

transitive verb

1

: to seize or hold firmly

gripped the door handle

2

: to hold the interest of strongly

a story that grips the reader

gripper noun

grip

2 of 2

noun

1

a

: a strong or tenacious grasp

had a good grip on the tennis racket

b

: strength in gripping

c

: manner or style of gripping

the balanced grip of an expert golfer

2

a

: a firm tenacious hold typically giving control, mastery, or understanding

has the country in his grip

b

: mental grasp

can't seem to get a grip on [=gain a good understanding of] calculus

… I'm curious to see if preteens have a grip on this fairly sophisticated concept.

—John Hoffman

3

: a part or device for gripping

4

: a part by which something is grasped

especially : handle

5

: suitcase

6

a

: a stage worker who handles scenery, properties, or lights : stagehand

b

: a technician on a movie or television set who handles and maintains equipment (such as cameras and their dollies and cranes)

Synonyms

Verb

• clench
• cling (to)
• clutch
• hold

Noun

• carry-on
• carryall
• handbag
• holdall [chiefly British]
• portmanteau
• suitcase
• traveling bag
• wallet

Examples of grip in a Sentence

Verb

The little boy gripped his mother's hand tightly.

I gripped the door handle and pulled as hard as I could.

The story really grips the reader.

The scandal has gripped the nation.

Noun

His tennis instructor showed him the proper backhand grip.

a golfer with an incorrect grip

He has been doing all he can to maintain his grip on the company's finances.

I need new grips for my golf clubs.

Recent Examples on the Web

Verb

Week in Review Asian equities were mixed for the week as the U.S. recession fears gripped the region. —Brendan Ahern, Forbes, 21 Mar. 2025

An idea may grip you when Venus retrograde aligns with Pluto. —USA TODAY, 21 Mar. 2025

Noun

The 19-lap sprint race at the Shanghai International Circuit saw teams suffer from tire wear towards the final stages of the race, courtesy of the fresh asphalt that has enhanced grip levels. —Thomas G. Moukawsher, Newsweek, 22 Mar. 2025

Darcy Kuemper made 17 saves in his fifth straight start to help Los Angeles tighten its grip on a playoff spot. —Austin Knoblauch, Los Angeles Times, 21 Mar. 2025

Word History

Etymology

Verb and Noun

Middle English grippen, from Old English grippan; akin to Old English grīpan

First Known Use

Verb

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

Noun

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

Phrases Containing grip

• death grip
• get a grip on
• have a grip
• key grip
• loosen one's grip/hold
• lose one's grip
• losing his grip on reality
• pistol grip

Rhymes for grip

• blip
• chip
• clip
• dip
• drip
• flip
• grippe
• hip
• ip
• kip
• lip
• nip

Kids Definition

grip

1 of 2 verb

ˈgrip 

gripped; gripping

1

: to seize firmly

2

: to hold strongly the interest of

the story grips the reader

grip

2 of 2 noun

1

a

: a firm grasp

b

: strength in gripping

c

: a way of clasping the hand by which members of a secret society recognize or greet one another

2

a

: a firm hold giving control

in the grip of winter

b

: comprehension sense 3, understanding

3

: a part or device for gripping or by which something is grasped

especially : handle entry 1 sense 1

4

: suitcase