1. A level of education: When Virginia was in school, the elementary grades were from 1st to 6th grade, while the secondary grades were from 7th grade to the 12th grade.
2. The slope of a roadway, either up or down: The speed limit was reduced on the freeway due to the steep decending grade of 15 %.
3. The performance on an exam or test which is expressed by a number or letter; a score: On the final examination in English, Jill received an "A" which was the best grade possible.

The grade that Susan got on her biology test was 95%, which was very good, but 100% would have been a perfect grade.
4. A certain level of quality, intensity, value, or rank: The carpenter suggested that Jill use the finest grade of sandpaper on the table to make it very smooth before painting it.

1. In sewing, to cut or remove excess fabric from a seam allowance from a finished seam: When Lynn's mother was shortening the skirt for her, she fist graded the extra length of material to reduce the bulk of material when turning up the fabric to the correct length when finishing the skirt.
2. To organize in age levels: The books for children in the shop were graded according to the reading ability of the kids.
3. To smnooth, flatten, or level a large surface of something: Before the building process could begin, the ground had to be graded.
4. To score students' tests after correcting them: Mrs. Smart had so many tests to read throughly, marking the mistakes the students made, and then, after resting and eating something, she had to grade them fairly.