1. to shred food into small pieces using a grater
2. to make a harsh scraping sound
3. to irritate or annoy someone

1. metal bars or frameworks covering an opening

Examples

• She grates cheese over the pasta.
• The chalk grates against the blackboard.
• His constant complaining really grates on my nerves.
• The storm drain has metal grates to prevent debris from entering.
• He grates carrots for the salad every morning.
• The rusty gate grates loudly when opened.
• The prison windows had thick iron grates.
• That noise grates like fingernails on a chalkboard.