Grade Definition

grād

graded, grades, grading

noun

grades

Any of the stages in an orderly, systematic progression; step; degree.

Webster's New World

A degree or rating in a scale classifying according to quality, rank, worth, intensity, etc.

Grade A eggs, weapons-grade plutonium.

Webster's New World

An accepted standard or level.

Up to grade.

Webster's New World

A set of persons or things all falling in the same specified limits; a class.

American Heritage

A group of people of the same rank, merit, worth, etc.

Webster's New World

Synonyms:

verb

graded, grades, grading

To arrange or classify by grades; rate according to quality, rank, worth, etc.; sort.

Webster's New World

To assume an indicated rank or position in a series; be of a certain grade.

Webster's New World

To determine the quality of (academic work, for example); evaluate.

Graded the book reports.

American Heritage

To give a grade to.

Webster's New World

To gradate.

Webster's New World

Synonyms:

affix

Walking or moving (in a specified manner)

Plantigrade.

Webster's New World

idiom

at grade

on the same level

Webster's New World

make the grade

to get to the top of a steep incline
to overcome obstacles and succeed

Webster's New World

the grades

elementary school

Webster's New World

Other Word Forms of Grade

Noun

Singular:

grade

Plural:

grades

Idioms, Phrasal Verbs Related to Grade

Origin of Grade

From French grade (“a grade, degree”), from Latin gradus (“a step, pace, a step in a ladder or stair, a station, position, degree”), from gradi (“to walk, step”), from Proto-Indo-European *gʰradʰ-, *gʰredʰ- (“to walk, go”). Cognate with Gothic (griþs, “step, grade”), Bavarian Gritt (“step, stride”), Lithuanian grìdiju (“to go, wander”).

From Wiktionary
French from Latin gradus ghredh- in Indo-European roots

From American Heritage Dictionary of the English Language, 5th Edition