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
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
Unknown Marvin Gaye got it on during one Motown Christmas party Robinson hadn't heard through the grapevine about Marvin Gaye's talent when the undiscovered musician showed up at an early Motown Christmas party. Bryan Alexander, USA TODAY, 11 Dec. 2024 The Upper Galilee Mountain range of Israel is 1,000 meters above sea level, and an ideal location for cultivating grapevines. Elycia Rubin, The Hollywood Reporter, 5 Dec. 2024 News on the luxury grapevine lifted shares of Burberry and EssilorLuxottica yesterday amid speculation that two major industry deals are underway. Prarthana Prakash, Fortune Europe, 5 Nov. 2024 And in 2019, nine workers were sickened while removing unwanted shoots from grapevines inside a greenhouse, according to an OSHA report. Laura J. Nelson, Los Angeles Times, 25 Oct. 2024 See all Example Sentences for grapevine 

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 22 Dec. 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
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