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

Examples of off-grid in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
Videoland Reality Kings on Safari leans on a similar formula to earlier format Reality Queens of the Jungle, in which female reality stars turn their back on creature comforts to take part in an off-grid competition. Jesse Whittock, Deadline, 9 Oct. 2025 The Royal Elk Ranch is an off-grid wonderland with 2,017 acres and more than a few surprises awaiting throughout the property. Tj MacIas 9, Sacbee.com, 9 Oct. 2025 Such materials would begin to degrade within hours of contact with organic material, a real issue for a product designed for camping and traveling off-grid. New Atlas, 9 Oct. 2025 Light up your evenings with the Xtauto Collapsible Portable LED Camping Lanterns, $21 (originally $30), or stay powered up with the Blavor Solar Charger Power Bank, $24 (originally $40), both essential for off-grid trips. Anne Taylor, Travel + Leisure, 7 Oct. 2025 See All Example Sentences for off-grid

Word History

First Known Use

1978, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of off-grid was in 1978

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Cite this Entry

“Off-grid.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/off-grid. Accessed 19 Oct. 2025.

Kids Definition

off-grid

adjective
variants or off-the-grid
: not connected to or served by publicly or privately managed utilities (as electricity, gas, or water)
Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
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