Definitions

from The American Heritage® Dictionary of the English Language, 5th Edition.

  • noun A reinforced eyelet, as in cloth or leather, through which a fastener may be passed.
  • noun A small metal or plastic ring used to reinforce such an eyelet.
  • noun Nautical A loop of rope or metal used for securing the edge of a sail to its stay.

from The Century Dictionary.

  • noun See gromet.

from the GNU version of the Collaborative International Dictionary of English.

  • noun A ring formed by twisting on itself a single strand of an unlaid rope; also, a metallic eyelet in or for a sail or a mailbag. Sometimes written grummet.
  • noun (Mil.) A ring of rope used as a wad to hold a cannon ball in place.

from Wiktionary, Creative Commons Attribution/Share-Alike License.

  • noun A reinforced eyelet, or a small metal or plastic ring used to reinforce an eyelet.
  • noun surfing, snowboarding, skateboarding A young or inexperienced surfer, skateboarder, or snowboarder.
  • noun A circle formed of three-stranded rope.

from WordNet 3.0 Copyright 2006 by Princeton University. All rights reserved.

  • noun fastener consisting of a metal ring for lining a small hole to permit the attachment of cords or lines

Etymologies

from The American Heritage® Dictionary of the English Language, 4th Edition

[Probably from obsolete French gromette, gormette, chain joining the ends of a bit, from Old French, from gourmer, to bridle.]

from Wiktionary, Creative Commons Attribution/Share-Alike License

From obsolete French gromette ("curb chain") (modern spelling gourmette).

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Examples

  • It’s perfect for hauling my 2 year old with the addition of a Dutch kid seat – the center stand is key for loading an unloading a child without the bike tipping over … With the addition of Dutch panniers, that can, thanks to a large built-in grommet, actually be locked to the bike, it’s very useful for errands and grocery shopping, too.

    JORG & OLIF: Dutch City Bikes | Inhabitat 2006

  • I imagine over time the milk jug will tear the grommet out or the wind will catch the over hanging flap.

    Tarp Tips 2009

  • Roy's got the full cast of wallace and grommet in 32oz

    Caption Contest: Write the Best... 2009

  • Roy's got the full cast of wallace and grommet in 32oz

    Caption Contest: Write the Best... 2009

  • The grommet in her neck squeaks as her lens peers into a dim, steamy enclosure.

    Ballardian » Ballardian/Savoy Microfiction competition winners 2010

  • The valve's size number and manufacturer ID were hidden on the rubber grommet area of the valve, only visible from inside the wheel.

    Tire valve stem date coding: A good idea that all tire valve makers should consider 2011

  • I imagine over time the milk jug will tear the grommet out or the wind will catch the over hanging flap.

    Tarp Tips 2009

  • Next door the boys have band practice, mostly basslines and wandering loops, they are nomads in white grommet belts and black jeans.

    Oh, Cardinal Directions! christopher cocca 2011

  • The cap is fitted with a grommet designed to keep out seawater and prevent the formation of slushy methane hydrates that bedeviled an earlier containment dome effort.

    "This well is evil" 2010

  • The two wheels rotate independently, held concentrically by a grommet.

    Archive 2010-01-01 James Gurney 2010

Comments

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  • The plastic ring in a hole that protects cables running through the hole, as well as reinforces the hole itself. If that doesn't make sense, check a nearby desk, bookcase, or other piece of office furniture. It'll likely have one, or two.

    May 16, 2007

  • or the hickey doo where sweatshirt strings come out of the hood.

    May 17, 2007

  • Not to be confused with Gromit.

    January 23, 2008

  • I love Gromit. :-)

    January 23, 2008

  • Mrs Simpson's pet name for her abdicating Windsor.

    January 23, 2008

  • There was a kid's show called "Wallace and Grommet."

    June 9, 2012