grad

plural grads

1. abbreviationclippingClipping of graduate.
2. abbreviationclippingClipping of graduation.
3. abbreviationmathematicsAbbreviation of gradian.

plural grads

1. Alternative letter-case form of Grad.

plural Grads · alternative grad

1. A type of Soviet artillery multiple rocket launcher, or a rocket fired by this.

   The Russians fought back with Grad rocket-launcher salvos and mortar attacks (they also made some use of armor).

   2001, Olga Oliker, Russia’s Chechen Wars 1994-2000: Lessons from Urban Combat, Santa Monica, California: Rand, page 29

   3 more examples

   It supplements the 220 mm BM-22 Uragan (‘Hurricane’) and 122 mm BM-21 Grad (‘Hail’) MRLs, already in service.

   1989, Jane’s Defence Weekly, volume 12, Coulsdon, UK: Jane’s, page 1050

   The MRL systems Smerch, Uragan, and Grad are designed to destroy concentrations of personnel and various vehicles at distances up to 70 kilometers.

   1998, Field Artillery Association (U.S.), Field Artillery, page 7

   “[w]e saw Hamas come and put up rocket launchers and fire. We could tell they were Grads by the sound, which is louder and deeper than that of Qassams.”

   2009, Rockets from Gaza: Harm to Civilians from Palestinian Armed Groups’ Rocket Attacks, New York: Human Rights Watch, page 22

   Synonyms: BM-21, Katyusha