grass roots

British  

plural noun

1. 1. the ordinary people as distinct from the active leadership of a party or organization: used esp of the rank-and-file members of a political party, or of the voters themselves

   2. ( as modifier )

      the newly elected MP expressed a wish for greater contact with people at grass-roots level

2. the origin or essentials

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Etymology

Origin of grass roots

C20: sense 1 originally US, with reference to rural areas in contrast to the towns

Example Sentences

In the face of such diverse challenges, Mijente Executive Director Marisa Franco said nonprofits and grass roots must find strength by working together.

From Los Angeles Times • Feb. 1, 2026

"I started playing quite late, when I was about 10, and there was no real grass roots football in our area," she said.

From BBC • Nov. 7, 2024

People need motivation to join in on the hard work of grass roots organizing necessary to make the most of a sudden opportunity for cultural change.

From Salon • Aug. 30, 2024

Prairie voles are stocky rodents and Olympian tunnellers that surface in grassy areas to feast on grass, roots and seeds with their chisel-shaped teeth, sprouting migraines in farmers and gardeners.

From New York Times • May 2, 2024

The walls and floor were a mishmash of plastic bags, dirt, grass roots and stones.

From "The Ear, the Eye, and the Arm" by Nancy Farmer