grassroots
the common or ordinary people, especially as contrasted with the leadership or elite of a political party, social organization, etc.; the rank and file.
the agricultural and rural areas of a country.
the people inhabiting these areas, especially as a political, social, or economic group.
the origin or basis of something; the basic or primary concept, rule, part, or the like.
of, relating to, or involving the common people, especially as contrasted with or separable from an elite: a grassroots movement for nuclear disarmament.
Origin of grassroots
1Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023
How to use grassroots in a sentence
To really influence the grass roots, young democrats will need to start laying their own seeds for change.
The World’s Hotspots Will Keep the US and World Leaders Focused in 2012 | Maajid Nawaz | January 11, 2012 | THE DAILY BEASTTemple described himself as a grass-roots activist who doesn't want any of the organized tea party groups speaking for him.
Blair himself had a famously tin ear for the old-time grass roots faction.
It should be required reading for anyone managing a nonprofit, working for a grass roots cause, or running a Fortune 500 company.
In Pennsylvania, the grass-roots progressive army rallying behind Sestak helped push Specter to the left this year.
The energetic use of a roller helps the grass roots to spread out and obtain the mastery over the decapitated weeds.
The Sportswoman's Library, v. 2 | VariousTossing the prize back to its rightful owner, he withdrew painfully to grub for some more grass roots.
Kings in Exile | Sir Charles George Douglas RobertsThe earth was hard, and its upper part was filled with tenacious grass roots.
Operation Terror | William Fitzgerald JenkinsAlthough the land slopes, the mat made by the grass roots will keep it from washing away.
The Adventures of a Grain of Dust | Hallam HawksworthThe people come in here, like they do at Cherry Creek, and think the gold shows at grass-roots.
The Pike's Peak Rush | Edwin L. Sabin
British Dictionary definitions for grass roots
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
(as modifier): the newly elected MP expressed a wish for greater contact with people at grass-roots level
the origin or essentials
Origin of grass roots
1Collins English Dictionary - Complete & Unabridged 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012
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