bluegrass

noun

blue·​grass ˈblü-ˌgras How to pronounce bluegrass (audio)
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 In the 1930s, Lair created the Renfro Valley Barn Dance, a radio and stage show filled with country and bluegrass music by artists including Hank Williams, Red Foley, and Hank Snow. Lisa Cericola, Southern Living, 6 Mar. 2024 But a glimpse into Strings’s genre-eschewing shows offers a reasoning behind his appeal as an artist, one who has grown beyond a strictly bluegrass audience. Jessica Nicholson, Billboard, 23 Feb. 2024 The record is as sonically elusive and varied as the Rangers themselves, the melodies careening across the musical spectrum — raucous Americana numbers, soaring folk ballads, and an intricate bluegrass instrumental for good measure. Garret K. Woodward, Rolling Stone, 20 Feb. 2024 Featuring bluegrass bands, line dancing and expertly curated picks of Kentucky’s finest, the bourbon trail is coming right to Bourbon & Beyond. Kathryn Gregory, The Courier-Journal, 24 Jan. 2024 Wyatt Ellis The 14-year-old bluegrass artist scored his first career Billboard chart entry thanks to his debut album Happy Valley. Xander Zellner, Billboard, 22 Feb. 2024 Dirty Cello also performs blues, folk, bluegrass, Eastern European music and more, plus original compositions. George Varga, San Diego Union-Tribune, 14 Feb. 2024 While the festival title says jazz, numerous stages showcase the best local and national talent across every music genre (jazz, pop, hip-hop, gospel, bluegrass, rock, etc.) over two weekends. Ronny Maye, Essence, 12 Feb. 2024 And for true Appalachian tunes, check the concert calendar at Purple Fiddle in Thomas, a live music venue and bar that draws some of the best indie bands and folk and bluegrass artists. Terry Ward, Travel + Leisure, 9 Feb. 2024

These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'bluegrass.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.

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 19 Mar. 2024.

Kids Definition

bluegrass

noun
blue·​grass -ˌgras How to pronounce bluegrass (audio)
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

Blue·​grass ˈblü-ˌgras How to pronounce Bluegrass (audio)
region of central Kentucky where Kentucky bluegrass abounds that is noted for the breeding of fine horses

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