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 bar also hosted such legendary local bands such as the Tigerlillies, Ditchweed and the Fairmount Girls and helped turn a new generation onto bluegrass music with its Sunday performances by the Comet Bluegrass All-Stars, whose fiddle player was Cunningham's uncle Ed. —Keith Pandolfi, Cincinnati Enquirer, 24 Sep. 2025

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, 22 Sep. 2025

The whole day’s lineup leaned country-folk, as Farm Aid shows tend to, but the mid-afternoon took a delightful bluegrass-roots turn. —Jared Kaufman, Twin Cities, 21 Sep. 2025

Waynesville’s annual Church Street Art & Craft Show in early October turns the already charming downtown into an autumnal dream complete with cloggers, bluegrass bands, artisan crafts, and local food. —Tara Massouleh McCay, Southern Living, 20 Sep. 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