Definition

Noun: 1. The common people at a local level (as distinguished from the centers of political activity): Refers to ordinary people in a community, district, or organization, especially as the source of basic political or social support and action. 2. The essential foundation or source: The most basic level of an activity, organization, or process; the fundamental origin or basis.

Usage Examples

• Noun (Sense 1: The common people):
  • The candidate's message resonated with the grass roots, leading to strong local support.
  • Real change often starts at the grass roots, not from government mandates.
• Noun (Sense 2: The essential foundation):
  • To understand the industry, you must start at the grass roots and learn every basic skill.
  • The campaign's strength was its grass roots—thousands of volunteers making calls.

Advanced Usage

• As a modifier (adjective): The term is often used attributively (before another noun) to describe things originating from or involving ordinary people.
  • The movement is a grass-roots initiative, funded by small local donations.
  • They organized a grass-roots campaign to clean up the park.

Variants and Related Words

• Grassroots (adjective): This is a common variant spelling when used as a modifier. The meaning is identical to the attributive use of "grass roots."
  • grassroots activism, grassroots support

Synonyms

• Rank and file: The ordinary members of a large organization, as distinct from its leaders.
• Base: The underlying support or foundation for something, especially in politics.
• Foundation: The basis or groundwork of anything.

Related Idioms and Phrases

• To take/stay/keep something at the grass-roots level: To ensure something remains connected to or controlled by ordinary people.
  • The club's philosophy is to keep decision-making at the grass-roots level.
• Grass-roots organizing/effort/movement: Describes political or social work that builds power from the bottom up, within communities.
  • Their success was due to years of patient grass-roots organizing.

Noun

1. the common people at a local level (as distinguished from the centers of political activity)
2. the essential foundation or source
   • the problem was attacked at the grass roots