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

"I started playing quite late, when I was about 10, and there was no real grass roots football in our area," she said.

From BBC

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

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

“We are particularly proud that January shattered our grass roots fund-raising record for a third straight month,” said T.J.

From New York Times

The push to resettle Gaza is happening both in political channels, in which far-right politicians are trying to give it legal backing, and at the grass roots.

From New York Times