grating meaning and definition

GRATING noun

Definition of grating (noun)

1. a barrier that has parallel or crossed bars blocking a passage but admitting air
   • synonyms: grate
2. a frame of iron bars to hold a fire
   • synonyms: grate
3. optical device consisting of a surface with many parallel grooves in it; disperses a beam of light (or other electromagnetic radiation) into its wavelengths to produce its spectrum
   • synonyms: diffraction grating

GRATING adjective

Definition of grating (adjective)

1. unpleasantly harsh or grating in sound
   • "a gravelly voice"
   • synonyms: gravelly, rasping, raspy, rough, scratchy