grapevine

¹ American  

[greyp-vahyn] / ˈgreɪpˌvaɪn /

noun

1. a vine that bears grapes.

2. Also called grapevine telegraph.  a person-to-person method of spreading rumors, gossip, information, etc., by informal or unofficial conversation, letter writing, or the like.

3. a private or secret source of information.

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Grapevine ² American  

[greyp-vahyn] / ˈgreɪpˌvaɪn /

noun

1. a town in N Texas.

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grapevine British  

/ ˈɡreɪpˌvaɪn /

noun

1. any of several vitaceous vines of the genus Vitis, esp V. vinifera of E Asia, widely cultivated for its fruit (grapes): family Vitaceae

2. informal an unofficial means of relaying information, esp from person to person

3. a wrestling hold in which a wrestler entwines his own leg around his opponent's and exerts pressure against various joints

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Etymology

Origin of grapevine

1645–55; 1860–65, grapevine for def. 2; grape + vine

Example Sentences

Some reporters have gotten Trump’s digits through the grapevine or from colleagues; at least one simply asked him.

From Slate • Mar. 18, 2026

Bill Musgrave, then the Golden Bears’ offensive coordinator, had heard about Mendoza through the coaching grapevine.

From The Wall Street Journal • Oct. 9, 2025

What can be said is that the F1 grapevine suggests Mercedes have a small advantage over the other manufacturers on their internal combustion engine performance for 2026 so far.

From BBC • Jul. 29, 2025

I do find it strange that Belinda would not have heard about Tanya’s death through the work grapevine.

From Los Angeles Times • Mar. 9, 2025

The news spread first along the mission grapevine and through government employees and among the diplomats at cocktail parties, and finally the rumors began to reach Europe.

From "The Hot Zone" by Richard Preston