grapevine

noun

grape·​vine ˈgrāp-ˌvīn 

1

: grape sense 2

2

a

: an informal person-to-person means of circulating information or gossip

heard it through the grapevine

b

: a secret source of information

Examples of grapevine in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

The insects can carry Pierce’s disease, a bacterial infection that is often fatal to grapevines, according to the USDA. —Don Sweeney, Sacbee.com, 28 May 2026

The most hyperlocal and fateful dish, however, comes from a grapevine that’s been growing in Feld’s backyard for 30 years. —Louisa Kung Liu Chu, Chicago Tribune, 27 May 2026

Residents were directed to place two garbage bags over grapevines to secure them tightly. —Carlos E. Castañeda, CBS News, 26 May 2026

Their 11,000 grapevines are grown 1,000 feet above sea level in the crisp mountain air, producing classic Virginia varietals like petit verdot and vidal blanc. —Heather Bien, Southern Living, 17 May 2026

Word History

First Known Use

circa 1736, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Rhymes for grapevine

• alkaline
• andesine
• anodyne
• anticline
• arginine
• asinine
• benzidine
• borderline
• byzantine
• calamine
• caroline
• centerline

Kids Definition

grapevine

noun

grape·​vine ˈgrāp-ˌvīn 

1

: grape sense 2

2

: an unofficial means of spreading information or gossip from person to person

Geographical Definition

Grapevine

geographical name

Grape·​vine ˈgrāp-ˌvīn 

city in northern Texas northeast of Fort Worth population 46,334