off-grid

adjective

ˈȯf-ˈgrid 

variants or off-the-grid

ˈȯf-ṯẖə-ˈgrid 

: 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

The company also suggests that compact nuclear systems could reduce dependence on diesel generators and help lower greenhouse gas emissions in off-grid applications. — Prabhat Ranjan Mishra, Interesting Engineering, 16 July 2026

Three off-grid glampsites—a yurt, a platform tent, and a tiny cabin—comprise the property, generously spaced across 210 acres overlooking a fishing pond or vast corn and soybean fields. — Tree Meinch, Midwest Living, 11 July 2026

Buyers can upgrade off-grid readiness with up to 2,500 Wh of lithium battery power and 200 watts of solar charging. — New Atlas, 11 July 2026

Our other data center power play is GE Vernova , which makes natural gas turbines that can be used to generate off-grid energy. — Morgan Chittum, CNBC, 1 July 2026

Word History

First Known Use

1978, in the meaning defined above

Kids Definition

off-grid

adjective

ˈȯf-ˈgrid 

variants or off-the-grid

ˈȯf-ṯẖə-ˈgrid 

: not connected to or served by publicly or privately managed utilities (as electricity, gas, or water)