grapevine

noun

grape·​vine ˈgrāp-ˌvīn 

1

: grape sense 2

2

a

: an informal person-to-person means of circulating information or gossip

heard it through the grapevine

b

: a secret source of information

Examples of grapevine in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

Wonderful Nurseries, the nation’s largest grapevine nursery, is in Wasco, Calif. —Melissa Gomez, Los Angeles Times, 25 Oct. 2024

Extracted from grapevine shoot, antioxidant-rich resveratrol helps visibly firm and reduce the appearance of wrinkles by enhancing collagen synthesis, says Dr. Lolis. —Devon Abelman, Allure, 23 Oct. 2024

Not only are these stories passed through the grapevine, but they are foregrounded in the firm’s presentations and communications. —Michael Morris, Fortune, 30 Sep. 2024

They’re supported by an understory of grapevines, sumac and Virginia creeper in a tangle of varying hues. —Laura Daniella Sepulveda, The Arizona Republic, 25 Sep. 2024

Word History

First Known Use

circa 1736, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Kids Definition

grapevine

noun

grape·​vine ˈgrāp-ˌvīn 

1

: grape sense 2

2

: an unofficial means of spreading information or gossip from person to person

Geographical Definition

Grapevine

geographical name

Grape·​vine ˈgrāp-ˌvīn 

city in northern Texas northeast of Fort Worth population 46,334