take root
idiomatic phrase
1
of a plant
: to grow and develop roots : to become rooted
… damage to the ecosystem makes it easier for nonnative plants … to take root and crowd out native vegetation.—
Mary K. Miller
Mary K. Miller2
: to become fixed or established
… providing the steadiness and resolve needed to ensure that civilizations can take root and flourish.—Greg Grandin
Greg GrandinA monstrous suspicion had begun to take root in his mind.—P. G. Wodehouse
P. G. WodehouseExamples of take root in a Sentence
Recent Examples on the Web
When leadership aligns operations with values, trust can begin to take root.
—Yujia Zhu, Forbes.com, 8 July 2025
Tanner’s idea, born out of a small shack in St. George, Utah in 2010 and propelled by its uncommon popularity with members of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints, is now taking root in Florida, according to a report in GrowthSpotter — thanks, in large part, to the Herberts.
—James Wilkins, The Orlando Sentinel, 3 July 2025
Those theories, which have taken root in the context of similar Trump crusades against Disney, NBCUniversal and other media companies (some resulting in payouts to Trump), could well be tested in courts in the coming months.
—Dade Hayes, Deadline, 1 July 2025
Education, particularly in the humanities, rests on a belief that, alongside the practical things students might retain, some arcane idea mentioned in passing might take root in their mind, blossoming years in the future.
—Hua Hsu, New Yorker, 30 June 2025
See All Example Sentences for take root
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Yujia Zhu, Forbes.com, 8 July 2025
Tanner’s idea, born out of a small shack in St. George, Utah in 2010 and propelled by its uncommon popularity with members of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints, is now taking root in Florida, according to a report in GrowthSpotter — thanks, in large part, to the Herberts.
—James Wilkins, The Orlando Sentinel, 3 July 2025
Those theories, which have taken root in the context of similar Trump crusades against Disney, NBCUniversal and other media companies (some resulting in payouts to Trump), could well be tested in courts in the coming months.
—Dade Hayes, Deadline, 1 July 2025
Education, particularly in the humanities, rests on a belief that, alongside the practical things students might retain, some arcane idea mentioned in passing might take root in their mind, blossoming years in the future.
—Hua Hsu, New Yorker, 30 June 2025
See All Example Sentences for take root
Cite this Entry
“Take root.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/take%20root. Accessed 19 Jul. 2025.
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