ground

Ground is defined as the surface of or soil from the earth.

(noun)

An example of ground is dirt.

The definition of ground is base or beginning.

(adjective)

An example of ground is the first class in a set course of several classes.

The definition of ground refers to being cut up into small pieces or into a powder.

(adjective)

An example of ground are the powdery structure of spices after they have been crushed into particles.

Ground means to cut up into small particles or to prevent an aircraft or pilot from flying.

(verb)

An example of ground is the action by a grinder to cut up the coffee particles used to brew coffee.
An example of ground is to tell an aircraft pilot that his plane cannot take off until the fog lifts.

See ground in Webster's New World College Dictionary

noun

1. Obsolete the lowest part, base, or bottom of anything
2. the bottom of a body of water
the surface of the earth, specif. the solid surface
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
any particular area of reference, discussion, work, etc.; topic; subject: arguments covering the same ground
basis; foundation
the logical basis of a conclusion, action, etc.; valid reason, motive, or cause: often used in pl.
the background or surface over which other parts are spread or laid, as the main surface of a painting
the particles that settle to the bottom of a liquid; dregs; sediment: coffee grounds
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

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

adjective

transitive verb

to set on, or cause to touch, the ground
to cause (a ship, etc.) to run aground
to found on a firm basis; establish
to base (a claim, argument, etc.) on something specified
to instruct (a person) in the elements or first principles of
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
Elec. to connect (an electrical conductor) to a ground
☆ Football to throw or knock (an opposing player) to the ground

intransitive verb

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

transitive verb, intransitive verb

grind

See ground in American Heritage Dictionary 4

noun

a. The solid surface of the earth.
b. The floor of a body of water, especially the sea.
Soil; earth: level the ground for a lawn.
An area of land designated for a particular purpose. Often used in the plural: a burial ground; parade grounds.
The land surrounding or forming part of a house or another building. Often used in the plural: a guesthouse on the grounds of the mansion.
An area or a position that is contested in or as if in battle: The soldiers held their ground against the enemy. Character witnesses helped the defendant stand her ground in the trial.
Something that serves as a foundation or means of attachment for something else: a ground of white paint under the mural.
A surrounding area; a background.
The foundation for an argument, a belief, or an action; a basis. Often used in the plural.
The underlying condition prompting an action; a cause. Often used in the plural: grounds for suspicion; a ground for divorce. See Synonyms at base¹.
An area of reference or discussion; a subject: The professor covered new ground in every lecture.
grounds The sediment at or from the bottom of a liquid: coffee grounds.
Electricity
a. A large conducting body, such as the earth or an electric circuit connected to the earth, used as an arbitrary zero of potential.
b. A conducting object, such as a wire, that is connected to such a position of zero potential.

verb ground·ed, ground·ing, grounds

verb, transitive

To place on or cause to touch the ground.
To provide a basis for (a theory, for example); justify.
To supply with basic information; instruct in fundamentals.
a. To prevent (an aircraft or a pilot) from flying.
b. Informal To restrict (someone) especially to a certain place as a punishment.
Electricity To connect (an electric circuit) to a ground.
Nautical To run (a vessel) aground.
a. Baseball To hit (a ball) onto the ground.
b. Football To throw (a ball) to the ground in order to stop play and avoid being tackled behind the line of scrimmage.