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CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF COMPREHENSIVE EARNINGS - USD ($) $ in Thousands	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2017	Dec. 31, 2016	Dec. 31, 2015
Statement of Comprehensive Income [Abstract]
Net earnings	$ 622,443	$ 632,838	$ 785,174
Other comprehensive earnings:
Foreign currency translation adjustments, net of reclassification (see Note 6 and Note 13)	92,711	(38,729)	(154,096)
Postretirement benefit plan remeasurement, net of tax expense $29,172 (see Note 9 and Note 13)	46,543	0	0
Postretirement benefit plan reclassification, net of tax (expense) benefit of $(1,017), $6,991 and $(17,013)	2,043	(12,453)	27,846
Other	0	885	1,300
Comprehensive earnings, net of tax	763,740	582,541	660,224
Less: Comprehensive earnings attributable to noncontrolling interest:
Net earnings	36,713	26,910	16,178
Foreign currency translation adjustments	3,677	906	(532)
Comprehensive earnings attributable to W.W. Grainger, Inc.	$ 723,350	$ 554,725	$ 644,578

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