bluegrass

American  

[bloo-gras, -grahs] / ˈbluˌgræs, -ˌgrɑs /

noun

1. any grass of the genus Poa, as the Kentucky bluegrass, P. pratensis, having dense tufts of bluish-green blades and creeping rhizomes.

2. country music that is polyphonic in character and is played on unamplified stringed instruments, with emphasis especially on the solo banjo.

3. the Bluegrass. Bluegrass Region.

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bluegrass British  

/ ˈbluːˌɡrɑːs /

noun

1. any of several North American bluish-green grasses of the genus Poa , esp P. pratensis ( Kentucky bluegrass ), grown for forage

2. a type of folk music originating in Kentucky, characterized by a simple harmonized accompaniment

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bluegrass Cultural  

1. A kind of folk music for guitar, banjo, violin, other stringed instruments, and voice; bluegrass is distinguished by rapid notes and improvisation by the musicians.

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Etymology

Origin of bluegrass

An Americanism dating back to 1745–55; blue + grass

Example Sentences

Growing up in Virginia, he was raised on country and bluegrass music thanks to his father, who also introduced him to Springsteen’s “Nebraska.”

From Los Angeles Times

A former child prodigy on the mandolin, Hull opened the evening flexing her Berklee-trained chops in a series of lickety-split bluegrass numbers that got early arrivers whistling with approval.

From Los Angeles Times

Family members said Robertson was a devout Catholic who loved fishing, working on cars and listening to bluegrass and mariachi music.

From Los Angeles Times

“Slowly but surely, I got this reputation as a guy who could play anything. One night you’d see me play bluegrass in a little pizza shop, the next night it would be hard rock.”

From Los Angeles Times

He described the connections between bluegrass figurehead Bill Monroe and celebrated American songwriter John Prine.

From Los Angeles Times