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Grains Meaning: Definition, Examples, and Translations

๐ŸŒพ
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grains

[ษกreษชnz ]

Definitions

Context #1 | Noun

food

Small, hard, dry seeds, especially those of plants such as wheat, rice, barley, corn, or millet.

Synonyms

cereals, seeds.

Which Synonym Should You Choose?

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Word Description / Examples
grains

General term for small, hard seeds harvested for food, often used when talking about food staples like rice, wheat, and barley.

  • Whole grains are an important part of a balanced diet
  • The farmer harvested grains last autumn
seeds

Used broadly to describe any plant's reproductive units, including grains, nuts, and other small, edible kernels. Often suggests raw, unprocessed state and can be used in gardening, health food contexts or snacks.

  • I like to sprinkle chia seeds on my yogurt
  • The gardener collected seeds for planting next spring
cereals

Often refers to breakfast foods made from processed grains, but can also mean grains like barley, wheat, and oats in more formal or agricultural contexts.

  • I always start my day with a bowl of cereals
  • The cereals grown in this region are very high quality

Examples of usage

  • Whole grains are a good source of fiber.
  • Quinoa is a nutritious whole grain rich in protein.
  • She prefers whole grain bread over white bread.
Context #2 | Noun

measurement

A unit of weight equal to 1/7000th of a pound.

Synonyms

unit of weight.

Which Synonym Should You Choose?

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Word Description / Examples
grains

This word is used to refer to small, hard seeds of plants, especially those used for food such as wheat, rice, and barley.

  • The farmer harvested the grains in late autumn.
  • She bought a bag of grains for making bread.

Examples of usage

  • She bought a pound of rice, which is approximately 7000 grains.
  • There are 480 grains in an ounce.
Context #3 | Noun

small particles

Tiny hard particles of something, especially sand or salt.

Synonyms

granules, particles.

Which Synonym Should You Choose?

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Word Description / Examples
grains

Used to describe small, hard seeds from plants like wheat, rice, and corn. It can also refer to tiny, hard particles of a substance such as sand or salt. Commonly used in agricultural, food, and natural contexts.

  • She bought a sack of grains to make bread.
  • The beach was covered in fine grains of sand.
particles

General term for extremely small pieces or bits of matter. Commonly used in scientific and technical contexts, especially in physics, chemistry, and environmental science. It encompasses a wide range of small materials, including dust, pollutants, and microscopic organisms.

  • Air quality has worsened due to the high concentration of dust particles.
  • The experiment focused on observing the behavior of subatomic particles.
granules

Refers to small, compact particles, often used in the context of granular substances like sugar, salt, or instant coffee. It can also refer to small, coarse particles in science, particularly in biology and chemistry.

  • She added some coffee granules to her cup.
  • The scientist examined the granules under the microscope.

Examples of usage

  • The beach was covered in fine white grains of sand.
  • He sprinkled a few grains of salt on his meal.

Translations

To see the translation, please select a language from the options available.

Interesting Facts

Cultural Significance

  • Many ancient civilizations, like the Egyptians and Mesopotamians, relied heavily on grains for food and trade.
  • Grains have become central to many cultural traditions, such as the annual harvest festivals celebrated across various cultures.

Health and Nutrition

  • Whole grains are recognized for their health benefits, providing fiber, vitamins, and minerals essential for a balanced diet.
  • Dietary guidelines recommend that at least half of the grains consumed be whole grains to improve overall health.

Agricultural Practices

  • Grains like wheat, rice, and corn are among the world's most widely cultivated crops, forming the basis of many cuisines.
  • Modern farming techniques, including crop rotation and genetic modification, have increased the yield of grains, helping to feed a growing population.

Environmental Impact

  • Grain farming significantly impacts the environment, with issues such as land degradation, water usage, and pesticide application being pressing concerns.
  • Sustainable farming practices aim to reduce the environmental footprint of grain production, promoting biodiversity and soil health.

Origin of 'grains'

Main points about word origin

  • The word 'grain' comes from the Latin word 'granum,' which means 'seed' or 'kernel.'
  • In Old English, 'grรฆg' referred to seeds or grains, emphasizing the importance of agriculture in early societies.

The word 'grains' has its origin in the Old French word 'grain' which meant seed or grain. It has been used in English since the 13th century to refer to small, hard, dry seeds of various plants. Over time, it also came to be used as a unit of weight and to describe small particles. Grains have been a fundamental part of human diet and agriculture for centuries.

See also: grain, graininess, grainy, ingrain.

Word Frequency Rank

Ranking #3,651, this word is part of upper-intermediate vocabulary. While not among the most basic terms, it appears often enough to be valuable for advanced communication.