grassroots
1 of 2adjective
grass·roots ˈgras-ˌrüts 
-ˌru̇ts
variants or less commonly grassroot
ˈgras-ˌrüt
-ˌru̇t
1
: basic, fundamental
the grassroots factor in deciding to buy a house
2
: being, originating, or operating in or at the grass roots
a grassroots organization
grassroots political support
3
: not adapted from or added to an existing facility or operation : totally new
a grassroots refinery
grass roots
2 of 2noun
plural in form but singular or plural in construction
1
: the very foundation or source
You must attack the problem at the grass roots.
2
: the basic level of society or of an organization especially as viewed in relation to higher or more centralized positions of power
was losing touch with the party's grass roots
Example Sentences
Recent Examples on the Web
J. Scott Trubey, ajc, 23 June 2022 The Contigo Fund, a grassroots group promoting Orlando’s LGBTQ+ Latinx community, is hosting a gathering at the Lake Eola Amphitheater from 1 to 3:30 p.m. Orlando Sentinel Staff, Orlando Sentinel, 12 June 2022 Stefanowski also won the backing of the Connecticut Citizens Defense League, a grassroots gun owners group that has about 30,000 members. Christopher Keating, Hartford Courant, 25 May 2022 In Valadao’s hometown of Hanford, Larry Faria, a public safety worker, and John Darpli, an alfalfa broker, channeled their frustration over the impeachment vote into forming a grassroots group focused on local politics. Melanie Masonstaff Writer, Los Angeles Times, 23 May 2022 Last month, a grassroots group of San Antonio residents notched a victory when the City Council voted to change the name of Enrique M. Barrera Parkway back to Old Highway 90. Megan Stringer, San Antonio Express-News, 1 Mar. 2022 Pamela Miller chairs the Medina Diversity Project, a grassroots group dedicated to embracing and promoting diversity in our communities. Sam Boyer, cleveland, 21 Jan. 2022 State residents who traveled to Cheyenne fear taking a relatively new vaccine and don’t want to lose their jobs for refusing the shots, said Kristy Tyrney, the head of Wyoming Health Freedom, a grassroots group that rejects vaccine requirements. From Usa Today Network And Wire Reports, USA TODAY, 30 Nov. 2021 Jonathan Mehta Stein, executive director of California Common Cause, a grassroots group that advocates for communities and political reform, sent a letter to the city on Nov. 4 that called out the City Council for not taking the extra steps. San Diego Union-Tribune, 7 Nov. 2021 New York Times, 30 July 2022 Money from grass roots donors, meanwhile, has strengthened since the Supreme Court ruling, with $80,000 flooding in a single day, Desangles said. Christopher Rowland, Washington Post, 15 July 2022 But Cameron’s diversity from above has not trickled down, and the Tory grass roots remain overwhelmingly male and white. Yasmeen Serhan, The Atlantic, 13 July 2022 Baker gambled on public financing, limiting his donations to $250 a piece in order to obtain matching state funds and allow for a grass roots narrative. Erin Cox, Washington Post, 10 June 2022 How about instead putting $100k into a grass roots effort to change the political power in this state. cleveland, 21 July 2022 Leading the movement Rising to global stardom as a leading critic of the west African Franc (CFA), Séba has railed against ‘la Françafrique’ and built a grass roots platform to mobilize demonstrations across much of Francophone west Africa. Tom Collins, Quartz, 6 June 2022 This is a grass roots effort to truly understand the underlying causes and address them. Baltimore Sun, 17 May 2022 As for starting at the grass roots, too often a political candidate will claim to be an independent voice for the people, only to fall in line with party leadership after the election. WSJ, 24 May 2022 See More
Adjective
But the project has been opposed by a vocal grassroots group called Morgan County Land, Sky & Water Preservation that’s backed by residents fearful of environmental impacts, traffic and the loss of rural farmland. J. Scott Trubey, ajc, 23 June 2022 The Contigo Fund, a grassroots group promoting Orlando’s LGBTQ+ Latinx community, is hosting a gathering at the Lake Eola Amphitheater from 1 to 3:30 p.m. Orlando Sentinel Staff, Orlando Sentinel, 12 June 2022 Stefanowski also won the backing of the Connecticut Citizens Defense League, a grassroots gun owners group that has about 30,000 members. Christopher Keating, Hartford Courant, 25 May 2022 In Valadao’s hometown of Hanford, Larry Faria, a public safety worker, and John Darpli, an alfalfa broker, channeled their frustration over the impeachment vote into forming a grassroots group focused on local politics. Melanie Masonstaff Writer, Los Angeles Times, 23 May 2022 Last month, a grassroots group of San Antonio residents notched a victory when the City Council voted to change the name of Enrique M. Barrera Parkway back to Old Highway 90. Megan Stringer, San Antonio Express-News, 1 Mar. 2022 Pamela Miller chairs the Medina Diversity Project, a grassroots group dedicated to embracing and promoting diversity in our communities. Sam Boyer, cleveland, 21 Jan. 2022 State residents who traveled to Cheyenne fear taking a relatively new vaccine and don’t want to lose their jobs for refusing the shots, said Kristy Tyrney, the head of Wyoming Health Freedom, a grassroots group that rejects vaccine requirements. From Usa Today Network And Wire Reports, USA TODAY, 30 Nov. 2021 Jonathan Mehta Stein, executive director of California Common Cause, a grassroots group that advocates for communities and political reform, sent a letter to the city on Nov. 4 that called out the City Council for not taking the extra steps. San Diego Union-Tribune, 7 Nov. 2021 Noun
The open hostilities have emboldened an ascendant grass roots wing of Michigan Republicans who are devoted to Mr. Trump and his agenda. New York Times, 30 July 2022 Money from grass roots donors, meanwhile, has strengthened since the Supreme Court ruling, with $80,000 flooding in a single day, Desangles said. Christopher Rowland, Washington Post, 15 July 2022 But Cameron’s diversity from above has not trickled down, and the Tory grass roots remain overwhelmingly male and white. Yasmeen Serhan, The Atlantic, 13 July 2022 Baker gambled on public financing, limiting his donations to $250 a piece in order to obtain matching state funds and allow for a grass roots narrative. Erin Cox, Washington Post, 10 June 2022 How about instead putting $100k into a grass roots effort to change the political power in this state. cleveland, 21 July 2022 Leading the movement Rising to global stardom as a leading critic of the west African Franc (CFA), Séba has railed against ‘la Françafrique’ and built a grass roots platform to mobilize demonstrations across much of Francophone west Africa. Tom Collins, Quartz, 6 June 2022 This is a grass roots effort to truly understand the underlying causes and address them. Baltimore Sun, 17 May 2022 As for starting at the grass roots, too often a political candidate will claim to be an independent voice for the people, only to fall in line with party leadership after the election. WSJ, 24 May 2022 See More Word History
Etymology
Adjective
see grass entry 1
First Known Use
Adjective
1912, in the meaning defined at sense 2
Noun
1899, in the meaning defined at sense 2