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

At a lakeside campus in Rwanda, ingredients from across Africa are taking root. — Alicia Erickson, Travel + Leisure, 4 Aug. 2026

This tradition of drinking and eating while hopping from bar to bar was born in San Sebastián about a century ago, giving a list of norms plenty of time to take root. — Marti Buckley, Condé Nast Traveler, 3 Aug. 2026

While skills can travel across borders, culture requires real-time connection to take root. — Expert Panel®, Forbes.com, 31 July 2026

Stereo 41, Walnut Creek A bastion of late-night coolness – almost too cool – has taken root in downtown Walnut Creek. — John Metcalfe, Mercury News, 28 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