bluegrass

noun

blue·​grass ˈblü-ˌgras 

1

: any of several grasses (genus Poa) of which some have bluish-green culms

especially : kentucky bluegrass

2

[from the Blue Grass Boys, performing group, from Bluegrass state, nickname of Kentucky] : country music characterized by the use of unamplified stringed instruments (such as banjo, fiddle, guitar, and mandolin), by free improvisation, and by close usually high-pitched harmony

Examples of bluegrass in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

The event kicked off with the Folk iN Fusion concert, which amounted to a world-class ensemble of the finest musicians in folk, bluegrass, trad, Americana and beyond, including Wyatt Ellis, Jim Lauderdale and Grant herself. —Chris Barilla, PEOPLE, 20 Jan. 2026

There are also live concerts throughout the year in such musical genres as classical, soul, and bluegrass. —Erin Gifford, Southern Living, 19 Jan. 2026

Check out all of these and more in Billboard‘s roundup of some of the best country, bluegrass and/or Americana songs of the week below. —Jessica Nicholson, Billboard, 12 Jan. 2026

Weir’s idiosyncratic style is embedded in its core, a lysergic conversation between rock, bluegrass, folk, jazz, blues, global rhythms, and avant-garde experimentation. —Jesse Jarnow, Pitchfork, 12 Jan. 2026

Word History

First Known Use

1751, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Phrases Containing bluegrass

• Kentucky bluegrass
• rough bluegrass

Rhymes for bluegrass

• alas
• amass
• bromegrass
• bypass
• chagas
• crabgrass
• crevasse
• eelgrass
• eyeglass
• groundmass
• harass
• impasse

Kids Definition

bluegrass

noun

blue·​grass -ˌgras 

1

: any of several grasses with usually bluish green stems

especially : Kentucky bluegrass

2

: country music played on a small group of instruments (as banjo, fiddle, and mandolin) with melody or harmony often made up by players during a performance

Geographical Definition

Bluegrass

geographical name

Blue·​grass ˈblü-ˌgras 

region of central Kentucky where Kentucky bluegrass abounds that is noted for the breeding of fine horses