/ grɪd; NAmE / noun
1.
a pattern of straight lines, usually crossing each other to form squares :
New York's grid of streets
2.
a frame of metal or wooden bars that are parallel or cross each other
—see also cattle grid
3.
a pattern of squares on a map that are marked with letters or numbers to help you find the exact position of a place :
The grid reference is C8.
4.
( especially BrE ) a system of electric wires or pipes carrying gas, for sending power over a large area :
the national grid (= the electricity supply in a country)
5.
( in motor racing ) a pattern of lines marking the starting positions for the racing cars
6.
(often the Grid ) [ sing. ] ( computing ) a number of computers that are linked together using the Internet so that they can share power, data, etc. in order to work on difficult problems
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WORD ORIGIN
mid 19th cent.: back-formation from gridiron .