variants
or off-the-grid
: not connected to or served by publicly or privately managed utilities (such as electricity, gas, or water)
When folks move to an off-grid, rural homestead, they often end up burning a lot of fossil fuels (and spending a lot of money) driving to and from town in an inefficient farm truck.—Cam Mather
Four Harvard University students are bringing portable, sustainable power to off-grid areas in developing countries …—Emily Aviles
It's hard to imagine a more inspiring space than this off-the-grid building (powered by nearby solar panels).—Samuel Cochran
Traditionally, home schooling has been branded as a fringe activity—the domain of Bible-toting parents and off-the-grid hippies.—Lynn Schnaiberg
off the grid
adverb
or less commonly off-the-grid
or off-grid
Not everyone can live off the grid. At least not yet. But until then, many of us are doing simple things to conserve energy, save money and help the environment.
—Paul Singley
I'm not taking about modern-day Thoreaus building shacks in the woods and living off-the-grid …
—Paul McFedries
Right now people who live off-grid with PV panels on their roofs rely on ordinary batteries to get through the night.
—George Johnson
Cite this Entry
“Off-grid.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/off-grid. Accessed 2 Oct. 2026.
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