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ground¹ Definition

ground (gro̵und)

noun

    1. Obsolete the lowest part, base, or bottom of anything
    2. the bottom of a body of water
  2. the surface of the earth, specif. the solid surface
  3. the soil of the earth; earth; land
    1. any particular piece of land; esp., one set aside for a specified purpose a hunting ground
    2. land surrounding or attached to a house or other building; esp., the lawns, garden, etc. of an estate
  5. any particular area of reference, discussion, work, etc.; topic; subject arguments covering the same ground
  6. basis; foundation
  7. the logical basis of a conclusion, action, etc.; valid reason, motive, or cause: often used in pl.
  8. the background or surface over which other parts are spread or laid, as the main surface of a painting
  9. the particles that settle to the bottom of a liquid; dregs; sediment coffee grounds
  10. Elec.
    1. a conducting body (as the earth, or an object connected with the earth) whose potential is taken as zero and to which an electric circuit can be connected
    2. the connection of an electrical conductor with a ground
    3. a device, as a stake, iron pipe, etc., that makes such a connection

Etymology: ME grund < OE, ground, bottom, akin to Ger grund, ON grunnr: for IE base see grind

adjective

  1. of, on, or near the ground
  2. growing or living in or on the ground
  3. ☆ Football designating the part of the offensive game plan using running plays

transitive verb

  1. to set on, or cause to touch, the ground
  2. to cause (a ship, etc.) to run aground
  3. to found on a firm basis; establish
  4. to base (a claim, argument, etc.) on something specified
  5. to instruct (a person) in the elements or first principles of
  6. to provide with a background
    1. to keep (an aircraft or pilot) from flying
    2. ☆ Informal to punish (a young person, esp. a teenager) by not permitting him or her to leave home to engage in social activity
  8. Elec. to connect (an electrical conductor) to a ground
  9. ☆ Football to throw or knock (an opposing player) to the ground

intransitive verb

  1. to strike the bottom or run ashore: said of a ship
  2. ☆ Baseball
    1. to hit a grounder
    2. to be put out on a grounder: usually with out
  3. ☆ Football to throw an incomplete pass intentionally, to avoid being sacked

ground¹ Idioms

break ground

  1. to dig; excavate
  2. to plow
  3. to start building
  4. to start any undertaking

break new ground

to innovate or pioneer

cover ground

  1. to move or traverse a certain distance
  2. to make a certain amount of progress

cut the ground from under someone

to deprive someone of effective defense or argument

from the ground up

☆

from the first or elementary principles, methods, etc. to the last or most advanced; completely; thoroughly

gain ground

  1. to move forward
  2. to make progress
  3. to gain in strength, extent, popularity, etc.

get off the ground

☆

to get (something) started; begin or cause to begin to make progress

give ground

to withdraw under attack; retreat; yield

go to ground

Chiefly Brit. to go into hiding or seclusion

hold one's ground

to keep one's position against attack or opposition; not withdraw or retreat

lose ground

  1. to drop back; fall behind
  2. to lose in strength, extent, popularity, etc.

on delicate ground

in a situation requiring tact

on firm ground

  1. in a safe situation
  2. firmly supported by facts or evidence

on one's own ground

  1. dealing with a situation or subject that one knows well
  2. at home

run into the ground

☆

Informal to do too long or too often; overdo

shift one's ground

to change one's argument or defense

suit (right) down to the ground

Informal to suit completely

ground² Definition

ground (gro̵und)

transitive verb, intransitive verb

grind

ground Synonyms

ground

n.

  1. Soil

    sand, dirt, soil; see earth 2.

  2. An area

    spot, terrain, territory; see area 2.

break ground

start, initiate, commence; see begin 1.

cover ground

move, go on, progress; see advance 1.

cut the ground from under one <strong>or </strong>one's feet*

deprive, prove wrong, talk down; see defeat 1.

from the ground up

thoroughly, wholly, entirely; see completely.

gain ground

move, go on, progress; see advance 1.

get off the ground*

start, commence, come into being; see begin 2.

give ground

withdraw, yield, retire; see retreat 1.

hold <strong>or </strong>stand one's ground

maintain one's position, defend, sustain, dig in one's heels; see endure 2.

lose ground

withdraw, fall behind, drop back; see lag 1.

on delicate ground

in a sensitive position, unsteady, insecure; see weak 3, 6.

on firm ground

reliable, secure, supported; see safe 1.

on one's own ground*

comfortable in, capable, proficient; see able 1, 2.

on shaky ground*

uncertain, unreliable, weak; see inadequate 1.

run into the ground*

exaggerate, do too much, press; see overdo 1.

suit (right) down to the ground*

suit, be suitable for, be appropriate for, fulfill; see fit 1, 2.

ground Synonyms

ground

v.

  1. To bring to the ground

    floor, bring down, prostrate; see fell.

  2. To restrict

    cause to remain on the ground, bar from flying, take wings away, prevent from driving*, confine to one's home; see also restrict 2.

  3. To instruct in essentials

    train, indoctrinate, educate; see teach 1.

ground Telecom Definition

A conducting connection, whether intentional or accidental, by which an electric circuit is connected at some point to the earth, or to some other large conducting body that can serve in place of the earth. The point can be a single point common to a great many circuits, such as an equipment frame, chassis, or cabinet. A ground serves as a reference point, a return path for an electrical signal, and to carry current safely away from a circuit in the event of a fault. In the event that earth is not available as a ground, the conducting frame of an aircraft, spacecraft, or land vehicle not conductively connected to the earth can serve as ground. See also circuit, current, electricity, and signal.

ground Usage Examples

Preposition: on

a34: The club is situated next to the Tennis Courts at the Sports and Social club ground on the A34 just outside Henley.

Preposition: for

divorce: Any arrival can guarantee a late night, and the quiz issue could be grounds for divorce.

Adjective modifier

  • fertile: The USA has already proved fertile ground for education reformers who believe in choice.
  • common: The game itself merely provides a context; common ground where things happen to players.
  • middle: In addition, there are middle ground or standard policies.
  • rough: The result is a perfect balance between easy riding, controlled braking and effective damping over rough ground.
  • moral: Somehow or other they claim to have the moral high ground.

Converse of object

  • breed: The large amounts of ammonia in the slurry become breeding ground for bacteria, which turn it into acid.
  • dump: Or are we just a dumping ground for lost souls?
  • break: It could never break the ground of the first series - it's a sequel!
  • hit: Each time the foot hits the ground, the tension causes the fascia to pull at the heel.

Modifies a noun

  • floor: Our office is located on the ground floor adjacent to the main road.
  • flora: If the ground flora dies away, those with the ability to reach a little higher will survive.

Preposition: of

orientation: It also excludes protection against discrimination on the grounds of sexual orientation with regard to housing, goods and services and education.

Noun used with modifier

  • burial: The burial ground is is of considerable extent, having been recently much enlarged.
  • recreation: Many of these overlook the Fairfield recreation ground to the south of the town.
  • cricket: Budget hotel in the Headingley area of Leeds near the cricket ground.
  • hunting: Regent's Park One of Henry VIII's hunting grounds.
  • breeding: Refuse areas are the perfect breeding ground for all kinds of pests.
  • football: It's never been an issue except occasionally inside football grounds where certain fans can be, erm, a bit nasty.