grilling
Definition
Noun 1. The act or process of cooking food by exposing it directly to intense radiant heat, typically from below or above. This method often uses a grill, an open framework of metal bars, and involves high heat that creates characteristic sear marks on the food. Example: The grilling of the vegetables gave them a delicious smoky flavor.
Usage
- Grilling is commonly used to describe cooking meats, vegetables, or other foods on a barbecue or indoor grill.
- It implies a dry-heat cooking method distinct from baking, boiling, or frying.
- The word can refer to the cooking process itself or the event of cooking in this manner.
Examples
Advanced Usage
- Figurative/Informal Use: In informal contexts, "grilling" can metaphorically describe subjecting someone to intense questioning or scrutiny, similar to being exposed to harsh heat. However, this is a distinct, idiomatic usage of the verb "to grill."
Variants and Related Words
- Grill (verb): To cook using the grilling method.
- Grill (noun): The device (a framework or appliance) used for grilling.
- Grilled (adjective): Describes food that has been cooked by grilling.
Synonyms
- Barbecuing (often used interchangeably, though barbecuing can imply slower cooking with indirect heat and smoke).
- Broiling (a very similar method where the heat source is above the food, common in ovens).
Related Phrases/Phrasal Verbs
(As a noun, "grilling" itself does not form phrasal verbs. The related verb "grill" can.) - Grill someone about something (phrasal verb): To question someone intensely. Example: The reporter grilled the mayor about the new policy.
Related Idioms
- Put someone on the grill: An informal idiom meaning to question someone aggressively.
Noun
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cooking by direct exposure to radiant heat (as over a fire or under a grill)
