Grounds
/ɡraʊndz/
Definitions
4 meaningsThe surface of the earth or other area of land.
/ɡraʊndz/
The solid surface of the earth.
The school grounds were filled with students at recess.
💡 Simply: Imagine your backyard or the park. The grounds are simply the area of land. It's where you can play, run, or just chill.
👶 For kids: The place where you can walk and play outside, like the grass or dirt.
More Examples
The hotel had beautiful grounds with gardens and fountains.
The dog ran around the grounds, chasing squirrels.
How It's Used
"The children played on the grassy grounds of the park."
"The forest floor provides the grounds for various plant life."
Reasons or justifications for an action or belief.
/ɡraʊndz/
Reasons or justifications.
The company had grounds to fire the employee due to misconduct.
💡 Simply: When you explain why you did something, you're giving your grounds. It's like saying, "Here's the reason I did this."
👶 For kids: The reasons why someone does something.
More Examples
He refused to apologize, claiming he had valid grounds for his actions.
The judge dismissed the case on the grounds of insufficient evidence.
How It's Used
"The lawyer presented strong grounds for her client's acquittal."
"There were no valid grounds for his complaint."
Small solid particles left after a substance (like coffee) has been processed.
/ɡraʊndz/
Sediment, especially from coffee or other substances.
The coffee grounds clogged the drain.
💡 Simply: After you make coffee, you have the grounds left over. It’s the stuff at the bottom of the pot that you don't drink.
👶 For kids: The stuff left over after you make coffee or tea.
More Examples
She used the coffee grounds to fertilize her plants.
The tea grounds were left at the bottom of the cup.
How It's Used
"The barista discarded the coffee grounds after brewing the espresso."
"Coffee grounds can be used as fertilizer in the garden."
To prohibit from flying or operating; to stop from leaving the ground.
/ɡraʊndz/
To prohibit an aircraft from flying.
The pilot grounded the plane for maintenance.
💡 Simply: When an airplane is 'grounded', it's not allowed to fly, usually because of bad weather or safety issues.
👶 For kids: To tell a plane it can't fly.
More Examples
The airline grounded all flights due to the hurricane.
The control tower grounded the aircraft because of engine trouble.
How It's Used
"The air traffic controller grounded all flights due to the storm."
Idioms & expressions
to cover a lot of ground
To deal with many subjects or topics.
"At the conference, the speakers covered a lot of ground in a short time."
on shaky grounds
In an uncertain or precarious position; lacking a firm basis.
"Their argument was on shaky grounds because of the lack of evidence."
From Middle English groundes, plural of grounde ('ground, land'), from Old English grund ('ground, bottom, foundation').
Historically, 'grounds' as a plural noun was frequently used to refer to the enclosed areas of a property, especially grand estates. It also evolved in legal contexts.
Memory tip
Think of the 'ground' you walk on. 'Grounds' is often used when referring to a specific area of ground.