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

"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.

From BBC • Jul. 6, 2025

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

Mr Pojur also said that such policies were "not adequately understood at grass roots level", and that although safety policies existed they were not implemented.

From BBC • Feb. 26, 2024

They hauled up thick, juicy grass roots, knocked them against their arms to dislodge dirt, and proceeded to feed.

From "A Girl Named Disaster" by Nancy Farmer