1
: any of several grasses (genus Poa) of which some have bluish-green culms
especially : kentucky bluegrass
2
[from the Blue Grass Boys, performing group, from Bluegrass state, nickname of Kentucky] : country music characterized by the use of unamplified stringed instruments (such as banjo, fiddle, guitar, and mandolin), by free improvisation, and by close usually high-pitched harmony

Examples of bluegrass in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
The Duo Recordings is forced to settle for second place, but only because the two musicians behind the album are already ruling the bluegrass chart. Hugh McIntyre, Forbes, 29 Dec. 2024 Seeger did have a long-running show, Rainbow Quest, that aired in New York and New Jersey and existed to feature folk, blues, and bluegrass musicians. Maureen Lee Lenker, EW.com, 26 Dec. 2024 A lot of the bluegrass instruments work perfectly within Indian rhythms because of the nature of it, three against two, all these intertwining rhythms that go on in banjo playing and also in tabla. Gary Graff, Billboard, 19 Dec. 2024 Bales is also currently experiencing bluegrass hit-making success as part of another supergroup, the Wood Box Heroes. Marcus K. Dowling, The Tennessean, 3 Dec. 2024 See all Example Sentences for bluegrass 

Word History

First Known Use

1751, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Time Traveler
The first known use of bluegrass was in 1751

Dictionary Entries Near bluegrass

Cite this Entry

“Bluegrass.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/bluegrass. Accessed 7 Jan. 2025.

Kids Definition

bluegrass

noun
1
: any of several grasses with usually bluish green stems
especially : Kentucky bluegrass
2
: country music played on a small group of instruments (as banjo, fiddle, and mandolin) with melody or harmony often made up by players during a performance

Geographical Definition

Bluegrass

geographical name

region of central Kentucky where Kentucky bluegrass abounds that is noted for the breeding of fine horses

More from Merriam-Webster on bluegrass

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