grout

1 of 2

noun

ˈgrau̇t How to pronounce grout (audio)
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
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
Noun
Additionally, inspectors said, grout had deteriorated between floor tiles at the cook’s line. —Camila Pedrosa, Sacbee.com, 4 Apr. 2025 The brush for cleaning grout gets into all those mildewy crevices in your bathroom, while the round brushes do a great job cleaning toothpaste and gunk around the faucets and in the sink. —Terri Williams, Architectural Digest, 3 Apr. 2025
Verb
And, of course, some models are multipurpose and can steam clean everything from floors to upholstery to grout and tile. —Terri Williams, Architectural Digest, 3 Apr. 2025 The department is also drilling and grouting to stabilize eastbound I-80. —Saleen Martin, USA TODAY, 21 Mar. 2025 See All Example Sentences for grout

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

Rhymes for grout

See All Rhymes for grout

Browse Nearby Words

grouse locust
grout
groutite
See all Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Grout.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/grout. Accessed 22 Apr. 2025.

Copy Citation

Share

More from Merriam-Webster on grout

Nglish: Translation of grout for Spanish Speakers

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
Love words? Need even more definitions?

Subscribe to America's largest dictionary and get thousands more definitions and advanced search—ad free!

Popular in Grammar & Usage

See More

How to Use Em Dashes (—), En Dashes (–) , and Hyphens (-)

Words in Disguise: Do these seem familiar?

The Difference Between 'i.e.' and 'e.g.'

Democracy or Republic: What's the difference?

Every Letter Is Silent, Sometimes: A-Z List of Examples
See More

Popular in Wordplay

See More

Flower Etymologies For Your Spring Garden

8 Words for Lesser-Known Musical Instruments

Birds Say the Darndest Things

10 Words from Taylor Swift Songs (Merriam's Version)

'Blue Moon,' 'Wolf Moon,' and Other Moons to Look for Throughout the Year
See More

Popular

See More

How to Use Em Dashes (—), En Dashes (–) , and Hyphens (-)

Flower Etymologies For Your Spring Garden

8 Words for Lesser-Known Musical Instruments
See More

Games & Quizzes

See All
Play Quordle: Guess all four words in a limited number of tries. Each of your guesses must be a real 5-letter word.
Quordle Can you solve 4 words at once?
Play Blossom: Solve today's spelling word game by finding as many words as you can using just 7 letters. Longer words score more points.
Blossom Word Game Pick the best words!
Play Missing Letter: a crossword with a twist. Each of the 25 puzzle words start with a different letter of the alphabet. Which letter is missing?
Missing Letter A daily crossword with a twist
name that thing flower edition
Name That Flower Can you tell the difference between a lilac and a...
See All