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

What began last year as a grassroots effort among a handful of Chicago secondhand shop owners has quickly expanded into a retail event involving more than 1,100 vintage stores across North America. —Alexandra Harrell, Footwear News, 15 May 2026

The advancement is a major win for Stop Killing Games‘ grassroots game preservation movement and comes over the objections of industry lobbyists at the Entertainment Software Association. —Jonathan M. Gitlin, ArsTechnica, 15 May 2026

Noun

On top of that, the immature grubs chew through grass roots and create dead patches in your lawn. —Brandee Gruener, Southern Living, 7 May 2026

Their taproots can reach as deep as 15 feet, according to MOFGA, pulling up nutrients like calcium from soil layers that grass roots can’t reach. —Ryan Brennan may 1, Miami Herald, 1 May 2026

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