grassroots

American  

[gras-roots, -roots, grahs-] / ˈgræsˌruts, -ˌrʊts, ˈgrɑs- /

noun

(used with a singular or plural verb)

1. the common or ordinary people, especially as contrasted with the leadership or elite of a political party, social organization, etc.; the rank and file.

2. the agricultural and rural areas of a country.

3. the people inhabiting these areas, especially as a political, social, or economic group.

4. the origin or basis of something; the basic or primary concept, rule, part, or the like.

---

adjective

1. of, relating to, or involving the common people, especially as contrasted with or separable from an elite.

   a grassroots movement for nuclear disarmament.

Etymology

Origin of grassroots

1910–15 grassroots for def. 1

Explanation

Something grassroots is at the most basic level of something, down there in the dirt with the roots of an idea or activity. If you’re looking to make a change from the ground up, start at the grassroots. If you want a gorgeous yard, don’t fluff the blades of grass, get down to work on the roots and soil. The grassroots is the most fundamental, basic level of well, grass, but also ideas or political movements. Freedom is a grassroots value of America. Love is a grassroots part of marriage. Reading and writing are grassroots elements of education. Grassroots is where things begin and shoot out from.

Example Sentences

He suggested that employment support, for example, could be reformed to give more control to local grassroots organisations.

From BBC • Jun. 29, 2026

Given that the bulk of mainline members and leaders are elderly, a grassroots insurgency makes sense.

From The Wall Street Journal • Jun. 25, 2026

Meanwhile, this February, nightclubs and grassroots spaces were excluded from the business rates relief scheme, despite the venues' rateable value skyrocketing by 56% since 2017.

From BBC • Jun. 25, 2026

With high inflation ravaging the economy, Greenspan recoiled when he learned Ford’s advisers planned a grassroots movement to encourage personal savings by passing out buttons that proclaimed, “Whip Inflation Now.”

From The Wall Street Journal • Jun. 22, 2026

The meeting broke up in anger; this gave us some sense of the grassroots objections to the Bantu Authorities Act.

From "Long Walk to Freedom" by Nelson Mandela