gridiron

1. (nautical) An openwork frame on which vessels are placed for examination, cleaning, and repairs.countableuncountable

2. (theater) A raised framework from which lighting is suspended.countableuncountable

3. (American football) The field on which American football is played.Examples: "They were quite close to him now, and crouching low, like tacklers on a gridiron. One of them raised his hand and lowered it, as though counting off seconds—one—two—three!"Synonyms: football fieldcountableuncountable

4. (uncountable, Australia and New Zealand) American and Canadian football, particularly when used to distinguish from other codes of football.Examples: "1995 October 3, Peter O′Shea, Sports: Out on the field, The Advocate, page 54, He represented Australia in this year′s rugby tour of England and is as well-known in Australia as any top gridiron player is in the United States."; "So Jackie′s name became known far and wide as an exceptional gridiron player."; "2009, Deborah Healey, Sport and the Law, reference note, UNSW Press, page 271, 119 Yasser (1985) cites the famous US example of gridiron player Dick Butkus of the Chicago Bears."AustraliaNew-Zealanduncountable