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
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
Examples of grassroots in a Sentence
Recent Examples on the Web
Sharon Lerner, ProPublica, 6 Mar. 2025
During the first Trump administration, scientific institutions and grassroots groups mobilized to back up federal data.
—Monica Sanders, Forbes, 6 Mar. 2025
Pamela N. Danziger, Forbes, 23 Feb. 2025
The grass roots opposition that put hundreds of thousands of people in the streets of Washington to protest Mr. Trump just a day after he was sworn in back in 2017 generated a fraction of that in their sequel on Saturday.
—Peter Baker, New York Times, 19 Jan. 2025
See All Example Sentences for grassroots
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Adjective
And these revelations have, in some cases, led to stricter chemical regulations and grassroots efforts to curtail pollution.
—Sharon Lerner, ProPublica, 6 Mar. 2025
During the first Trump administration, scientific institutions and grassroots groups mobilized to back up federal data.
—Monica Sanders, Forbes, 6 Mar. 2025
Noun
Starbucks faces a growing movement to unionize at the grass roots.
—Pamela N. Danziger, Forbes, 23 Feb. 2025
The grass roots opposition that put hundreds of thousands of people in the streets of Washington to protest Mr. Trump just a day after he was sworn in back in 2017 generated a fraction of that in their sequel on Saturday.
—Peter Baker, New York Times, 19 Jan. 2025
See All Example Sentences for grassroots
Cite this Entry
“Grassroots.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/grassroots. Accessed 12 Mar. 2025.
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