take root

idiomatic 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

This line of questioning is the very ground in which the IPS has taken root. —Catherine Taft, Artforum, 1 Feb. 2026

Twelve years in, Be My Neighbor Day is a continuation of a legacy that began here, took root here and continues to grow alongside Central Florida. —Jennifer Cook, The Orlando Sentinel, 1 Feb. 2026

The simple act of recognizing your role in the conflict invites the other person to respond in kind and keeps cycles of blame and denial from taking root. —Molly Burrets, CNBC, 29 Jan. 2026

The proceeds from the purchase will support an early childhood curriculum emphasizing altruism and empathy, designed to inoculate young minds against the dangers of extremism and hate before such poison can take root. —Elliott Broidy, Sun Sentinel, 27 Jan. 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