bluegrass

noun

blue·​grass ˈblü-ˌgras 

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

So strong was the Chicks’ commercial pull that their 2002 album Home—a trend-averse acoustic bluegrass album essentially recorded in secret—became a gargantuan hit, with two of its songs reaching the Top 10 of the Billboard Hot 100. — Shaad D’souza, Pitchfork, 11 Oct. 2026

That high, lonesome, male tenor voice is just such a cornerstone sound of bluegrass. — Chris Willman, Variety, 8 Oct. 2026

Explore See latest videos, charts and news Now, banjoists Steve Martin and Alison Brown have welcomed a collection of fellow bluegrass artists to give the track a galloping bluegrass spin. — Jessica Nicholson, Billboard, 8 Oct. 2026

This week in metro Atlanta, check out food events including a barbecue and bluegrass festival in McDonough, a cookbook revival dinner at the High Museum of Art and a conversation with cookbook author Yotam Ottolenghi. — Olivia Wakim, AJC.com, 6 Oct. 2026

Word History

First Known Use

1751, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Phrases Containing bluegrass

• Kentucky bluegrass
• rough bluegrass

Rhymes for bluegrass

• alas
• amass
• bromegrass
• bypass
• crabgrass
• crevasse
• eelgrass
• eyeglass
• groundmass
• harass
• impasse
• jackass

Kids Definition

bluegrass

noun

blue·​grass -ˌgras 

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 

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