grassroots

play

adjective grass·roots \ ˈgras-ˌrüts , -ˌru̇ts \

variants: or less commonly grassroot play \ˈgras-ˌrüt, -ˌru̇t\

Definition of grassroots

1 :basic, fundamental

the grassroots factor in deciding to buy a house

2 :being, originating, or operating in or at the grass roots

a grassroots organization

grassroots political support

3 :not adapted from or added to an existing facility or operation :totally new

a grassroots refinery

Recent Examples of grassroots from the Web

Some of his supporters even have launched grassroots efforts on their own, including in Vyksa.

— nataliya vasilyeva, The Seattle Times, "Small town miles from Moscow sees a political awakening," 24 Aug. 2017
Some of his supporters even have launched grassroots efforts on their own, including in Vyksa.

— Washington Post, "Small town miles from Moscow sees a political awakening," 24 Aug. 2017
Safe Zones, a grassroots effort to combat gun violence, began in Garden Homes during the turbulent summer of 2015.

— john diedrich, jsonline.com, "'No face, no case': How one man tried to permanently silence the witnesses to his crimes," 18 Aug. 2017
The kind of grassroots effort that would make politicians stand up and listen.

— keith bierygolick, Cincinnati.com, "Fight over park turns political: 'Let's make Deerfield green again'," 10 Aug. 2017
Gibson, who was invited to the IBCA/IHSAA Underclass Showcase at Ben Davis on July 11 as one of the top non-seniors in the state, is currently playing with Team Indiana amid the grassroots season.

— kyle williams, The Courier-Journal, "Jeffersonville girls basketball standout Jacinta Gibson commits to Western Michigan," 16 July 2017
But Naper Aero also represents what is known as grassroots aviation, which has been part of the culture of our country for over 100 years.

— bill bird, Naperville Sun, "At 60, Naperville's 'airpark' subdivision still flying," 15 July 2017
Now Renslow, 36, serves as the community builder for Miller Neighborhood Spotlight, a grassroots organization that has been working actively since 2015 to reinvigorate the Miller section of the city.

— javonte anderson, Post-Tribune, "Local group makes strides in Miller," 11 July 2017
The inception of the Farce of July first began in 1997 in Los Angeles in order to raise funds for grassroots organizations that advocate for human rights and the environment.

— araceli cruz, Teen Vogue, "Farce of July Celebration in Los Angeles Honors Native People," 4 July 2017

These example sentences are selected automatically from various online news sources to reflect current usage of the word 'grassroots.' Views expressed in the examples do not represent the opinion of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.

Origin and Etymology of grassroots

see ¹grass

NEW! Time Traveler

First Known Use: 1907

See Words from the same year

Other Government and Politics Terms

agent provocateur, agitprop, autarky, cabal, egalitarianism, federalism, hegemony, plenipotentiary, popular sovereignty, socialism

grass roots

noun, plural in form but singular or plural in construction

Definition of grass roots

1 :the very foundation or source

You must attack the problem at the grass roots.

2 :the basic level of society or of an organization especially as viewed in relation to higher or more centralized positions of power

was losing touch with the party's grass roots

First Known Use of grass roots

1901

GRASSROOTS Defined for English Language Learners

grass roots

noun

Definition of grass roots for English Language Learners

: the ordinary people in a society or organization : the people who do not have a lot of money and power

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