noun
grindstone
GRYN-stohn
Grindstone (noun) means a rotating stone wheel used for sharpening or smoothing tools and blades. Example: “He sharpened the axe blade against the grindstone.”
noun
1
A rotating stone wheel used for sharpening or smoothing tools and blades.
"He sharpened the axe blade against the grindstone."
How to use grindstone
Learner’s notesIn plain EnglishA stone wheel for sharpening tools — famous today mostly through the idiom "keep your nose to the grindstone," meaning to work hard without stopping.
Common pairings
keep your nose to the grindstone
sharpen on the grindstone
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Word forms
- Plural
- grindstones
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He sharpened the axe blade against the _____.
Etymology
From Middle English grindstan, a straightforward combination of grind and stone.
Rhymes for grindstone
See all rhymes for grindstone →Frequently asked questions
What does “grindstone” mean?
The word “grindstone” means a rotating stone wheel used for sharpening or smoothing tools and blades. In plain terms, a stone wheel for sharpening tools — famous today mostly through the idiom "keep your nose to the grindstone," meaning to work hard without stopping.
How do you pronounce “grindstone”?
“Grindstone” is pronounced GRYN-stohn (/ˈɡɹaɪn(d)ˌstoʊn/ in IPA).
How do you use “grindstone” in a sentence?
Here is “grindstone” used in a sentence: “He sharpened the axe blade against the grindstone.”
What part of speech is “grindstone”?
“Grindstone” is a noun.
Where does the word “grindstone” come from?
The word “grindstone” comes from Middle English. From Middle English grindstan, a straightforward combination of grind and stone.
