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
These examples are automatically compiled from online sources to illustrate current usage. Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.
Android’s new private space hides sensitive apps from sight, while those off-grid may be able to add satellite messaging to their devices. Zak Doffman, Forbes, 18 Oct. 2024 To ramp up the challenge, those taking part have their social media and devices removed — rendering them effectively off-grid. Jesse Whittock, Deadline, 16 Oct. 2024 However, this off-grid haven is a slice of paradise for those who don’t mind booking a cottage without electricity and running water, and are willing to bring their own bedding. Emily Pennington, Outside Online, 6 Oct. 2024 Now, homeowners are on the hook for finding off-grid alternatives, as well as paying to fix damage to their homes. Elizabeth Robinson, NBC News, 5 Sep. 2024 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

Dictionary Entries Near off-grid

Cite this Entry

“Off-grid.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/off-grid. Accessed 11 Nov. 2024.

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
Love words? Need even more definitions?

Subscribe to America's largest dictionary and get thousands more definitions and advanced search—ad free!