grid
GRID
/ɡrɪd/
A network of lines that cross each other to form squares; or a network of electrical wires and supply lines.
Refers to both geometric street layouts and interconnected utility infrastructure distributing power or data.
The story behind the word. Shortened from 'gridiron' (a metal grate used for cooking over fires), 'grid' entered English in the 1830s. As electrical lines crossed North American towns in structured patterns, power engineers adopted 'grid' to describe supply networks.
Word relationships
- network: A general term for connected nodes that do not necessarily form a regular crossing pattern.
- lattice: Refers to a decorative or physical framework of crossed wood or metal strips.
- disarray: A complete lack of structure or order.
Commonly confused with
- network: A grid is strictly regular and crisscrossed; a network can have any topologic layout.
Word family
- gridiron (noun): A frame of parallel metal bars, or an American football field.
- gridded (adjective): Arranged in or marked with a grid pattern.
Collocations
- power grid
- smart grid
- grid layout
- off the grid
Idioms & expressions
- off the grid
Example sentences
- "Upgrading the municipal power grid allows neighborhood solar arrays to feeding excess electricity back to central batteries." Electrical power management
- "The original nineteenth-century grid plan made street navigation simple for residents and delivery vehicles alike." Urban geography layout
Memory hook
GRID looks like a waffle iron grid—evenly spaced, interconnected squares. Intersecting pathways delivering power or order.
When not to use
Do not use for informal or unstructured networks; grid implies a regular, crossing structural design.
Fun facts
- 'Off the grid' originally meant living detached from public power lines, but now broadly means disconnecting from all digital networks.
Related words
Explore more words
distribution, Connectivity, interconnectedness, infrastructure, supply chain, Synchronous
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