grapevine

noun

grape·​vine ˈgrāp-ˌvīn How to pronounce grapevine (audio)
1
2
a
: an informal person-to-person means of circulating information or gossip
heard it through the grapevine
b
: a secret source of information

Examples of grapevine in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web Wine, Dine, and Sunset Shine Amidst the grapevines, Akash Winery stands as a testament to the Patel family’s unwavering commitment, supported by the skilled craftsmanship of winemaker Renato Sais. Branded Content Contributor, Orange County Register, 8 Jan. 2024 Get the look by updating a basic grapevine wreath with seasonal red berries and an oversized bow. Emily Vanschmus, Better Homes & Gardens, 17 Oct. 2023 Munson suggested grafting French vines onto the rootstock of American grapevines, which had developed resistance to the insects over many generations. Alex Mayyasi, Smithsonian Magazine, 28 Nov. 2023 Besides rows upon rows of grapevines, Napa also has the Castello di Amorosa, a 14th century-style castle that looks to be plucked straight out of the Italian countryside. Molly O'Brien, Travel + Leisure, 17 Jan. 2024 Located on 58 bucolic acres of farmland this winery grows eight varietals of grapevines that are used in eleven of their twenty-plus wines including an evocative selection of dry or sweet, red, white, or rose wines. Staff Report, Hartford Courant, 17 Jan. 2024 Connecticut state flag The three grapevines on the Connecticut state flag are believed to represent the three settlements (Windsor, Wethersfield, and Hartford) or three colonies (Connecticut, Saybrook and New Haven) which merged together to form the state. Olivia Munson, The Courier-Journal, 5 Jan. 2024 By the 1860s, phylloxera from North America had reached France, hitching a ride on grapevines imported by European botanists. Alex Mayyasi, Smithsonian Magazine, 28 Nov. 2023 Priorat was once a country seat for the Barcelona elite and a fine wine region, but phylloxera (a pest that destroys grapevines) swept through in the early 1900s, depleting the wine industry. Maya Kachroo-Levine, Travel + Leisure, 26 Nov. 2023

These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'grapevine.' 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

circa 1736, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Time Traveler
The first known use of grapevine was circa 1736

Dictionary Entries Near grapevine

Cite this Entry

“Grapevine.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/grapevine. Accessed 19 Mar. 2024.

Kids Definition

grapevine

noun
grape·​vine ˈgrāp-ˌvīn How to pronounce grapevine (audio)
1
2
: an unofficial means of spreading information or gossip from person to person

Geographical Definition

Grapevine

geographical name

Grape·​vine ˈgrāp-ˌvīn How to pronounce Grapevine (audio)
city in northern Texas northeast of Fort Worth population 46,334
Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
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