grommet

American  

[grom-it] / ˈgrɒm ɪt /

noun

1. Machinery.

   1. any of various rings or eyelets of metal or the like.

   2. an insulated washer of rubber or plastic, inserted in a hole in a metal part to prevent grounding of a wire passing through the hole.

2. Nautical.

   1. a ring or strop of fiber or wire; becket.

   2. a ring having a thickness of three strands, made by forming a loop of a single strand, then laying the ends around the loop.

   3. a ring of fiber used as a seal or gasket, as under the head of a bolt.

3. a washer or packing for sealing joints between sections of pipe.

4. Military. a stiff ring of rubber or metal inside the top of a service cap, designed to keep the top of the cap stretched flat.

5. a metal-bound eyelet in cloth, sometimes used decoratively, as on a garment.

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verb (used with object)

1. to fasten with a grommet.

grommet British  

/ ˈɡrɒmɪt /

noun

1. a ring of rubber or plastic or a metal eyelet designed to line a hole to prevent a cable or pipe passed through it from chafing

2. a ring of rope hemp used to stuff the gland of a pipe joint

3. med a small tube inserted into the eardrum in cases of glue ear in order to allow air to enter the middle ear

4. informal a young or inexperienced surfer

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Etymology

Origin of grommet

First recorded in 1620–30, grommet is from the obsolete French word gromette curb of bridle < ?

Explanation

A grommet is a small circle of metal that protects a hole meant for threading a cord or cable through. You lace up your favorite boots by threading a shoelace through grommets. The eyelets on your shoes are just one type of grommet. The metal rings at the top of a shower curtain that connect to the sliding hooks on the rod are also grommets, as are the reinforced holes in a sail meant for threading ropes through. Holes in sheet metal often have grommets to protect cords and cables from being cut on the sharp metal. A grommet, which was originally "a wreath of rope," is a useful gadget.

Example Sentences

Instead of sitting atop of your desk, it clamps to the side or back of your desk or in a grommet hole, not taking up too much desk real estate in the process.

From The Verge • Jul. 22, 2022

The rest, from the top of the rubber grommet upward, is “standard public domain,” Johnson said - a standard valve stem with a standard core “like in billions and billions of tires.”

From Washington Times • Mar. 14, 2020

When we shortened the mainsail, I failed to recognize the tack — a grommet at the corner of the sail — for the first reef.

From Washington Post • Mar. 22, 2018

Each curtain is hand cut and sewn with a clean finish and each grommet is hand pressed for extra durability.

From Los Angeles Times • Nov. 3, 2017

To Make a Grommet, cut a strand about three and a half times the length of the grommet required.

From Knots, Bends, Splices With tables of strengths of ropes, etc. and wire rigging by Jutsum, J. Netherclift