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

Knot's interest in economics took root during his student years. — CNBC, 6 Nov. 2026

What the Agora team can do more than anything is build bridges and create an environment for collaborations — the lifeblood of the European industry — to take root. — Christopher Vourlias, Variety, 4 Nov. 2026

When healthy grass thins out, weeds have more room to take root. — Jessica Safavimehr, Southern Living, 3 Nov. 2026

Below, creative producer Ben Cawthrone unpacks how the unusual concept took root and grew into a full-fledged game. — Destiny Jackson, Deadline, 1 Nov. 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