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

There’s plenty of culture to explore in NWA, too, with folk and bluegrass sounds reminiscent of Appalachia. —Trudy Haywood Saunders, Travel + Leisure, 26 Nov. 2025

Garcia himself was a bluegrass banjo player. —Brian Halligan, Fortune, 25 Nov. 2025

Plant also made two Grammy-winning albums and did several tours with bluegrass-queen Alison Krauss that featured ex-San Diego instrumental wiz Stuart Duncan. —George Varga, San Diego Union-Tribune, 24 Nov. 2025

Kameron Marlowe, newcomer Emily Roth and bluegrass trio Sweet Sally also offer up new music. —Jessica Nicholson, Billboard, 24 Nov. 2025

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