Ground
/ɡraʊnd/
Definitions
6 meaningsThe solid surface of the earth, or the earth itself.
/ɡraʊnd/
The surface of the earth
The dog rolled on the ground.
💡 Simply: The ground is the stuff under your feet when you're outside! It's where trees grow, where you play, and where your house sits. Imagine you're playing in the park and your ball bounces on the ground!
👶 For kids: The ground is the stuff you walk on outside.
More Examples
The bird landed on the ground.
The earthquake caused the ground to shake.
How It's Used
"The children played on the ground."
"The mountain rises from the ground."
The earth beneath the surface, used for supporting structures or natural formations.
/ɡraʊnd/
The solid part of the earth beneath the surface.
The foundations of the house were built deep in the ground.
💡 Simply: The ground is like the hidden part of the earth, what's below the grass and dirt. It’s important for building things and for holding up trees and mountains. If you dig a hole, you're digging into the ground!
👶 For kids: The ground is the stuff under the dirt.
More Examples
The tunnel went far underground.
The archaeologists unearthed artifacts from the ground.
How It's Used
"The building's foundation was dug deep into the ground."
"The ground contains various minerals."
A reason or justification for something.
/ɡraʊnd/
A basis for belief or action.
The judge dismissed the case on the grounds of insufficient evidence.
💡 Simply: Think of the ground as your 'why'. It's the reason you do something or believe something. Like, 'I'm not going to eat that candy because I have a good ground to stay healthy'.
👶 For kids: The ground is the reason why you do something.
More Examples
There are no grounds for complaint.
He had good grounds for being suspicious.
How It's Used
"The lawyer presented their grounds for appeal."
"The reasons for the decision were based on solid grounds."
To forbid (a person, especially a child) from going out or doing something as a punishment.
/ɡraʊnd/
To restrict a person from going out.
The parents grounded their son for breaking curfew.
💡 Simply: To be 'grounded' means you're in trouble and can't go anywhere fun or do something you like. Your parents might ground you if you don't do your chores, so you have to stay at home.
👶 For kids: When you're not allowed to go out to play as a punishment.
More Examples
She was grounded for talking back to her teacher.
He was grounded for a week.
How It's Used
"The teenager was grounded for staying out past curfew."
"The student was grounded for misbehaving in class."
To connect (an electrical device) to the earth or to a conductor that serves as a ground, for safety.
/ɡraʊnd/
To connect an electrical device to the earth.
The electrician grounded the wires to prevent shocks.
💡 Simply: When something gets 'grounded' in electricity, it’s linked to the earth to protect you. It stops electricity from shocking you if something goes wrong.
👶 For kids: When something electric is connected to the ground so it is safe.
More Examples
The appliance must be grounded before use.
Proper grounding is essential for electrical safety.
How It's Used
"The electrician grounded the outlet for safety."
"All electrical wiring must be properly grounded."
To prevent an aircraft from flying; to keep from taking off.
/ɡraʊnd/
To cause an aircraft to be unable to fly.
The storm forced the airline to ground all flights.
💡 Simply: When planes are grounded, it means they can’t fly, like if there's bad weather or if they need to be checked out. So they have to stay on the ground.
👶 For kids: When a plane is not allowed to fly.
More Examples
The pilot grounded the plane because of mechanical issues.
They were forced to ground the aircraft after a technical failure.
How It's Used
"The airline grounded all its planes due to the weather."
"The air force grounded the fighter jets."
Idioms & expressions
break ground
To start building or developing something new.
"The company will break ground on the new office building next month."
hit the ground running
To immediately begin working successfully and enthusiastically, especially when starting a new job or project.
"The new marketing manager hit the ground running and quickly increased sales."
on solid ground
In a safe or secure position; with a firm basis or foundation.
"After the investigation, the company was on solid ground."
lose ground
To become less successful or make less progress, or to give up territory.
"The company lost ground to its competitors."
cover ground
To deal with a large amount of information or topics.
"The lecture covered a lot of ground."
From Old English *grund*, ultimately from Proto-Germanic *grundu- (meaning 'bottom' or 'foundation'). Related to Dutch *grond* and German *Grund*.
The word 'ground' has been used since the Old English period, initially referring to the soil of the earth, and later expanding to encompass the ideas of a basis or reason.
Memory tip
Think of the ground as the place where we walk and build.
Word Origin
"'bottom', 'foundation'"