ground Hear it!

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
ground 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

Webster's New World College Dictionary Copyright © 2009 by Wiley Publishing, Inc., Cleveland, Ohio.
Used by arrangement with John Wiley & Sons, Inc.

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