off-grid

adjective

ˈȯf-ˈgrid 

variants or off-the-grid

ˈȯf-ṯẖə-ˈgrid 

: not connected to or served by publicly or privately managed utilities (such as electricity, gas, or water)

When folks move to an off-grid, rural homestead, they often end up burning a lot of fossil fuels (and spending a lot of money) driving to and from town in an inefficient farm truck.

—Cam Mather

Four Harvard University students are bringing portable, sustainable power to off-grid areas in developing countries …

—Emily Aviles

It's hard to imagine a more inspiring space than this off-the-grid building (powered by nearby solar panels).

—Samuel Cochran

Traditionally, home schooling has been branded as a fringe activity—the domain of Bible-toting parents and off-the-grid hippies.

—Lynn Schnaiberg

off the grid adverb

or less commonly off-the-grid or off-grid

Not everyone can live off the grid. At least not yet. But until then, many of us are doing simple things to conserve energy, save money and help the environment.

—Paul Singley

I'm not taking about modern-day Thoreaus building shacks in the woods and living off-the-grid …

—Paul McFedries

Right now people who live off-grid with PV panels on their roofs rely on ordinary batteries to get through the night.

—George Johnson

Examples of off-grid in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

This model is available with lots of options, including furniture, appliances, skylights, and a fully off-grid setup with solar panels and rainwater harvesting system. —New Atlas, 12 Jan. 2026

Hi Lab has unveiled HyDee, a portable hydrogen fuel-cell power unit designed to replace conventional lithium batteries in mobile and off-grid operations, as part of its showcase at CES 2026. —Neetika Walter, Interesting Engineering, 10 Jan. 2026

Learn about Outside Online's affiliate link policy From October into November, my wife and I—and our two dogs—drove from New Mexico to Vermont to turn our unfinished 12-by-12 log cabin into a little off-grid home. —Josh Drinkard, Outside, 29 Dec. 2025

In the middle of the Imperial Sand Dunes is Glamis, Calif. — an off-grid paradise for ATV riders. —Npr Staff, NPR, 18 Dec. 2025

Word History

First Known Use

1978, in the meaning defined above

Kids Definition

off-grid

adjective

ˈȯf-ˈgrid 

variants or off-the-grid

ˈȯf-ṯẖə-ˈgrid 

: not connected to or served by publicly or privately managed utilities (as electricity, gas, or water)