ETYM Old Fren. grevance. Related to Grieve.
1. A complaint about a (real or imaginary) wrong that causes resentment and is grounds for action.
2. An allegation that something imposes an illegal obligation or denies some legal right or causes injustice.
Grounds, real or imaginary, for complaint; feeling of resentment, especially caused by treatment felt to be unfair.
Cause of complaint. Sexual harassment or unfair promotion policies may be a source of grievance for workers. They may take this up through their company's grievance procedure, which will often have been negotiated with a labor union. If they are sacked as a result, they may go to an industrial tribunal.