grass roots

pl n 1. (Government, Politics & Diplomacy) a. 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 themselvesb. (as modifier): the newly elected MP expressed a wish for greater contact with people at grass-roots level. 2. the origin or essentials [C20: sense 1 originally US, with reference to rural areas in contrast to the towns]

grass′ roots′

n.
(used with a sing. or pl. v.) 1. ordinary citizens, esp. as contrasted with the leadership or elite. 2. the people inhabiting these areas, esp. as a political, social, or economic group. 3. the origin or basis of something. grass′-roots′, adj.

Thesaurus

Noun	1.	grass roots - the essential foundation or source; "the problem was attacked at the grass roots"foundation - the basis on which something is grounded; "there is little foundation for his objections"
	2.	grass roots - the common people at a local level (as distinguished from the centers of political activity)plural, plural form - the form of a word that is used to denote more than onecommon people, folk, folks - people in general (often used in the plural); "they're just country folk"; "folks around here drink moonshine"; "the common people determine the group character and preserve its customs from one generation to the next"

Translations

grass roots

the grass roots

The ordinary people in a group, as opposed to the leaders. Why shouldn't ordinary people take action? The grass roots of our society have been able to bring about major changes in the past.See also: grass, root

the grass roots

COMMON The grass roots of an organization or movement are the ordinary people who form the main part of it, rather than its leaders. The revolution is actually coming from the grass roots and I think eventually the authorities will follow. This was a truly socialist party, ultimately controlled by its grass roots. Note: Grass-roots or grassroots can be used before a noun. The proposal is backed by grass-roots activists. The president won the election after a grassroots campaign. The leadership has become detached from what's going on at grassroots level.See also: grass, root

the ˌgrass ˈroots

the ordinary people in an organization, for example a political party or trade union, and not the officials: The leaders of this union are losing contact with their members. They need to get back in touch with the grass roots. ▶ ˌgrass-ˈroots adj.: a grass-roots movementSee also: grass, root

grass roots

The fundamental level of anything; specifically, the rank and file of the electorate. Both usages date from about 1900, but the more common one today is the political one. Thus a candidate might concentrate on appealing to the grass roots of his or her constituency, or be said to be running a grass roots campaign.See also: grass, root

grass roots

grass roots

grass′ roots′

grass roots

the grass roots

the grass roots

the ˌgrass ˈroots

grass roots

grass roots

Words related to grass roots

noun the essential foundation or source

Related Words

noun the common people at a local level (as distinguished from the centers of political activity)

Related Words