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

That nationwide enthusiasm appears to be taking root in San Jose at the Bay Padel venue. — George Avalos, Mercury News, 13 July 2026

The opportunistic runners should take root and form new strawberry plants. — Samantha Johnson, Martha Stewart, 12 July 2026

More generally, being bold has also meant respecting Lucero’s international pedigree and allowing a wide range of architectural typologies to take root, from Spanish Colonial-style estates to Miami Beach-modern spec homes. — Peter Lane Taylor, Forbes.com, 10 July 2026

The idea for this project began to take root after Donaldson led an evaluation of Connecticut’s pilot teacher and principal evaluation program in 2012. — Mac Murray, Hartford Courant, 10 July 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