grassroots

1 of 2

adjective

grass·​roots ˈgras-ˌrüts 

-ˌru̇ts

variants or less commonly grassroot

ˈgras-ˌrüt 

-ˌru̇t

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

grass roots

2 of 2

noun

plural in form but singular or plural in construction

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

Examples of grassroots in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

Adjective

While some Black women championed human rights at the grassroots level, others worked to advance human rights in more formal roles at the United Nations. —Literary Hub, 22 Oct. 2025

It was presented to the public as a way to promote grassroots initiatives that foster civil society. —Tetiana Kotelnykova, The Atlantic, 22 Oct. 2025

Noun

Vought and his colleagues toured the country, whipping up the grass roots, and poured millions of dollars into advertisements and lobbying. —Andy Kroll, New Yorker, 17 Oct. 2025

Water deeply and regularly to help the grass roots and crown recover and send out new growth. —Mary Marlowe Leverette, Southern Living, 14 Oct. 2025

Word History

Etymology

Adjective

see grass entry 1

First Known Use

Adjective

1912, in the meaning defined at sense 2

Noun

1899, in the meaning defined at sense 2

Rhymes for grassroots

• aleuts
• commutes
• computes
• dilutes
• disputes
• firstfruits
• imputes
• lawsuits
• offshoots
• pollutes
• pursuits
• recruits

Kids Definition

grass roots

plural noun

: society at the local and popular level especially in areas away from political or cultural centers