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

Schwartz wants to get as many bands on the bill as possible, with a wide variety of genres represented, from bluegrass and punk to cumbia and Afrobeat — all genres of bands that have already applied. —John Wenzel, Denver Post, 9 June 2026

Shimabukuro, from Hawaii, will be performing his music that mixes jazz, blues, funk, rock, bluegrass, classical, folk and flamenco. —Carlos Rico, San Diego Union-Tribune, 5 June 2026

There are steady accents of bluegrass, blues and juke joint jazz. —Christopher Arnott, Hartford Courant, 4 June 2026

Her latest venture is an Appalachian bluegrass album, Fiddle and The Drum, with banjo player Béla Fleck. —Brittney Melton, NPR, 4 June 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
• crabgrass
• crevasse
• eelgrass
• eyeglass
• groundmass
• harass
• impasse
• jackass

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