take root

phrase

1

of a plant : to grow and develop roots : to become rooted

… damage to the ecosystem makes it easier for nonnative plants … to take root and crowd out native vegetation.

—Mary K. Miller

2

: to become fixed or established

… providing the steadiness and resolve needed to ensure that civilizations can take root and flourish.

—Greg Grandin

A monstrous suspicion had begun to take root in his mind.

—P. G. Wodehouse

Examples of take root in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

The name of the event is taken from the practice of bending saplings in a certain direction that would take root as a signpost. — Gregory Harutunian, Chicago Tribune, 25 Aug. 2026

It's been accepted in the medical science community that AD takes root in the brain years before symptoms begin to show. — New Atlas, 24 Aug. 2026

Admittedly, Mitchell is fairly creative in sketching the run-up to the dinosaur takeover, which includes ominous signs such as long-extinct plant life taking root overnight. — Peter Tonguette, The Washington Examiner, 22 Aug. 2026

Complacency fully takes root, and leaders underdeliver without consequence. — Ryan Dewey Smith, Forbes.com, 18 Aug. 2026

Word History

First Known Use

14th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Rhymes for take root

• absolute
• arrowroot
• attribute
• bitterroot
• constitute
• convolute
• destitute
• disrepute
• dissolute
• execute
• institute
• involute