grass roots

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

Word History and Origins

Origin of grass roots¹

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

Example Sentences

Martin, the Fianna Fáil party leader, told his parliamentary party on Wednesday that he "always had the best interest" of the party "at heart" and that he is "always pro grass roots".

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"The battle for the grass roots is on!"

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"There needs to be a grass roots campaign where patients are actually going in and talking to surgeons about what they want their tissue to be used for," she said.

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"What I want to ensure is that the Premier League is built on those firm foundations so clubs all the way through from the grass roots to the Premier League can continue to thrive."

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Nandi-Ndaitwah seeks harmony and teamwork, emphasising community, passion and care, and as such, reaches right down to the grass roots.

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