grapevine

noun

grape·​vine ˈgrāp-ˌvīn 

1

: grape sense 2

2

a

: an informal person-to-person means of circulating information or gossip

heard it through the grapevine

b

: a secret source of information

Examples of grapevine in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

The infested grapevines were shipped from Fresno to Costco warehouses in 24 Northern California counties in April and May, state officials said. — Grace Toohey, Los Angeles Times, 14 July 2026

The insect can spread Pierce’s disease, which is fatal to grapevines, from farm to farm. — Luis Melecio-Zambrano, Mercury News, 13 July 2026

The leaf-hopping insect destroyed more than 1,000 acres of grapevines in Northern California from 1994 to 2008, causing $30 million in damage, according to the California Department of Food and Agriculture. — Lizzie Kane july 9, Sacbee.com, 9 July 2026

Lunch Stop The narrow staircase at A Padaria do Povo emerges into a lively courtyard canopied by grapevines. — Adam Erace, Travel + Leisure, 7 July 2026

Word History

First Known Use

circa 1736, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Rhymes for grapevine

• alkaline
• andesine
• anodyne
• anticline
• arginine
• asinine
• benzidine
• borderline
• byzantine
• calamine
• caroline
• centerline

Kids Definition

grapevine

noun

grape·​vine ˈgrāp-ˌvīn 

1

: grape sense 2

2

: an unofficial means of spreading information or gossip from person to person

Geographical Definition

Grapevine

geographical name

Grape·​vine ˈgrāp-ˌvīn 

city in northern Texas northeast of Fort Worth population 46,334