grist Syllabification: (grist)Pronunciation: /grist/Definition of grist noun 1grain that is ground to make flour. malt crushed to make mash for brewing. 2useful material, especially to back up an argument:the research provided the most sensational grist for opponents of tobaccoPhrases grist for the mill useful experience, material, or knowledge. Origin: Old English, 'grinding', of Germanic origin; related to grindgrist in other Oxford dictionaries Definition of grist in the British & World English dictionary