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
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
Ct Jones, Rolling Stone, 13 May 2025
Other local politicians are expected to follow soon, setting up a confrontation between candidates employing new media savvy and those relying on grassroots support and old-school organizing.
—Olivia Olander, Chicago Tribune, 12 May 2025
Stephen Underwood, Hartford Courant, 22 Apr. 2025
The juveniles then go beneath the ground and feed on grass roots.
—Saleen Martin, USA Today, 16 Apr. 2025
See All Example Sentences for grassroots
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Adjective
For modern romance —which has seen a drastic growth in both interest and physical book sales because of TikTok’s grassroots book community #BookTok — some of the biggest books are celebrated for their escapist bent and focus on tropes rather than specific details.
—Ct Jones, Rolling Stone, 13 May 2025
Other local politicians are expected to follow soon, setting up a confrontation between candidates employing new media savvy and those relying on grassroots support and old-school organizing.
—Olivia Olander, Chicago Tribune, 12 May 2025
Noun
The juveniles then go beneath the ground and feed on grass roots and start the process all over again.
—Stephen Underwood, Hartford Courant, 22 Apr. 2025
The juveniles then go beneath the ground and feed on grass roots.
—Saleen Martin, USA Today, 16 Apr. 2025
See All Example Sentences for grassroots
Cite this Entry
“Grassroots.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/grassroots. Accessed 24 May. 2025.
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