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

Friends of Rose Canyon is a grassroots organization that has worked successfully for 20 years to protect San Diego’s Rose Canyon and to restore the plants that native birds, butterflies, bees and other wildlife evolved with and are adapted to. —Jeff Regan, San Diego Union-Tribune, 24 Apr. 2025

Make Earth Day 2025 A Turning Point for Supply Chain Sustainability This Earth Day marks the 55th anniversary of a movement powered by grassroots advocacy and collective action. —Richard Howells, Forbes.com, 22 Apr. 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

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