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

To really influence the grass roots, young democrats will need to start laying their own seeds for change.

From The Daily Beast

Temple described himself as a grass-roots activist who doesn't want any of the organized tea party groups speaking for him.

From The Daily Beast

Blair himself had a famously tin ear for the old-time grass roots faction.

From The Daily Beast

It should be required reading for anyone managing a nonprofit, working for a grass roots cause, or running a Fortune 500 company.

From The Daily Beast

In Pennsylvania, the grass-roots progressive army rallying behind Sestak helped push Specter to the left this year.

From The Daily Beast

The energetic use of a roller helps the grass roots to spread out and obtain the mastery over the decapitated weeds.

From Project Gutenberg

Tossing the prize back to its rightful owner, he withdrew painfully to grub for some more grass roots.

From Project Gutenberg

The earth was hard, and its upper part was filled with tenacious grass roots.

From Project Gutenberg

Although the land slopes, the mat made by the grass roots will keep it from washing away.

From Project Gutenberg

The people come in here, like they do at Cherry Creek, and think the gold shows at grass-roots.

From Project Gutenberg