DictionarygridironCooking grate
noun

gridiron

A framework of crossed bars used to support food over heat.

The cook places fresh fish on a gridiron over glowing coals.

Etymology

Gridiron developed from an older name for a cooking grate, reshaped with the familiar word iron. It names the barred support that holds food above a fire.

More examples

  • Brush the gridiron with oil so the food won't stick.
  • She turns the steaks on the gridiron with long tongs.
  • Let the gridirons cool before scrubbing their bars.

Forms

gridiron · gridirons

Similar words

grate
Grate also names frameworks that hold fuel or cover openings.
grill
Grill often means the entire cooking device, not just its bars.