take root

idiomatic phrase

1

of a plant : to grow and develop roots : to become rooted

… damage to the ecosystem makes it easier for nonnative plants … to take root and crowd out native vegetation.

—Mary K. Miller

2

: to become fixed or established

… providing the steadiness and resolve needed to ensure that civilizations can take root and flourish.

—Greg Grandin

A monstrous suspicion had begun to take root in his mind.

—P. G. Wodehouse

Examples of take root in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

Still, with the Chinese government’s aggressive investments, a flourishing industry there has taken root. —Ethan Karp, Forbes.com, 28 Apr. 2025

The work initially took root during a residency at Baryshnikov Arts Center in September 2023. —Laura Regensdorf, Vogue, 25 Apr. 2025

Businesses thrive and take root where industry-specific ecosystems are strong. —Will Anderson, Baltimore Sun, 22 Apr. 2025

Those efforts didn’t take root in the Church as a whole, though. —Paul Elie, New Yorker, 21 Apr. 2025

Word History

First Known Use

14th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Rhymes for take root

• absolute
• arrowroot
• attribute
• bitterroot
• constitute
• convolute
• destitute
• disrepute
• dissolute
• execute
• institute
• involute