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

These are varieties of cool season grasses such as annual rye and bluegrass that made their way into your lawn from seed. —Chris McKeown, The Enquirer, 6 Apr. 2024

Beyonce's latest album combines the sounds of classic country with hip-hop, bluegrass and Chicano rock. —Mansee Khurana, NPR, 1 Apr. 2024

Cowboy Carter is an exploration of history and culture through not only country music, but also rock & roll, Americana, bluegrass, and myriad other styles. —Lester Fabian Brathwaite, EW.com, 29 Mar. 2024

The third and fourth movements reference choro and bluegrass. —Andrew Gilbert, The Mercury News, 12 Mar. 2024

The new channel will play standards from her Grammy-award winning gospel album, My Savior, as well as traditional gospel hymns and spiritual country, bluegrass, and folk songs. —Brandee Gruener, Southern Living, 29 Mar. 2024

But to dig below the surface of Old & In the Way is to find both a groundbreaking album and a juncture of virtuoso musicians who forever changed the course of bluegrass. —Garret K. Woodward, Rolling Stone, 28 Mar. 2024

In addition to being a dreamer in late-capitalism America, Ferrell also belongs to a generation of players steeped in old-time and bluegrass—think Sarah Jarosz, Molly Tuttle, Billy Strings—but who also love Radiohead, top-40 radio, jam bands, and indie rock. —Stephen Deusner, SPIN, 25 Mar. 2024

The band, whose music blends elements of bluegrass, folk and rock, also starts at No. 32 on Emerging Artists. —Xander Zellner, Billboard, 13 Mar. 2024

Word History

First Known Use

1751, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Phrases Containing bluegrass

• rough bluegrass
• Kentucky bluegrass

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