Sand: meaning, definitions and examples

Use when referring to the tiny grains commonly found on beaches, deserts, or used in construction.

• We spent the day walking along the sandy beach.
• The children built a sandcastle.

Typically used to describe very small, coarse particles, often creating a rough texture, sometimes metaphorically refers to toughness.

• The roads were covered in grit after the snowstorm.
• She showed a lot of grit during the competition.

Best used when discussing tiny, often rounded particles of a substance, which can also refer to cereal crops like wheat or rice.

• The grains of sand were warm between my toes.
• Farmers harvest grains like wheat, corn, and barley.

Used in scientific or technical contexts to describe tiny components of matter, not necessarily sand.

• Microscopic particles were found in the sample.
• Air pollutants consist of fine particles that can harm health.

Refers to the granular material composed of finely divided rock and mineral particles. Commonly used to describe beaches, deserts, or construction material.

• We decided to build a sandcastle on the beach
• The workers used sand to make the concrete mix

Refers to small, coarse particles of stone or sand. Often used to talk about a rough texture or toughness. Can have a negative connotation if implying dirt or unpleasant roughness.

• The runner felt the grit under her shoes on the trail
• The painter had to remove the grit from the surface before applying the paint

Small, grainy particles that are often used in contexts like food, medicine, or manufacturing. It implies a smaller size compared to sand.

• Add a teaspoon of sugar granules to the coffee
• The medicine comes in small granules that dissolve in water

A general term for tiny pieces of any substance, not necessarily tied to a specific type of material. Often used in scientific or technical contexts.

• Airborne particles can be harmful to your health
• The scientists observed the behavior of dust particles under the microscope

When working with wood or metal surfaces to remove rough spots or scratches before painting or finishing.

• He needs to sand the wooden table to get rid of the rough patches
• We should sand the metal frame before applying the primer

When making a surface free of roughness, irregularities, or projections. Can be used for various materials and also to describe non-physical smoothing (e.g., smoothing out a process).

• You need to smooth the plaster on the wall before it dries
• They smoothed out the wrinkles in the fabric
• We should smooth out the scheduling issues before the meeting

When applying a substance or using a tool to make a surface shine or to make it look cleaner and smoother, often used for final finishing.

• After sanding, you should polish the table for a shiny finish
• She polished her silverware until it sparkled

When using a machine or tool to wear down a hard surface, often to sharpen or shape it. It can also be used in a more figurative sense.

• They need to grind the knife to keep it sharp
• In the factory, they grind metal pieces to a specific shape
• He's been grinding away at his studies for hours