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| ground [ grownd ] |
noun (plural grounds) |
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| Definition: |
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1. land surface: the surface of the land
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2. earth: the earth or soil that covers the land
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3. land for purpose: an area of land used for a particular purpose
(
often used in the plural
)
  a burial ground
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4. battle area: the land held or fought over in battle
prevent the enemy from gaining ground
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5. subject: an area of knowledge or debate
The lecture covered familiar ground.
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6. foundation: a reason or basis
(
often used in the plural
)
grounds for believing his story
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7. background: a background, e.g. the background color of a flag
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8. graphic arts painting surface: an underlying surface or prepared area that paint is applied to
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9. electrical engineering electrical connection to ground for safety: an electrical connection to the ground intended to carry current safely away from a circuit in the event of a fault, or a wire that makes such a connection
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plural noun grounds |
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| Definition: |
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1. surrounding land: the land surrounding and belonging to a building
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2. dregs: the sediment or dregs of a drink, especially coffee
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adjective |
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| Definition: |
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on ground: happening, living, working, or operating on the ground
ground crews
a message from ground control
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verb (past and past participle ground·ed, present participle ground·ing, 3rd person present singular grounds) |
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| Definition: |
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1. transitive verb electrical engineering connect appliance safely to ground: to equip an electrical circuit or appliance with a connection to the ground so that current is carried away safely in the event of a fault
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2. transitive verb aviation stop pilot or plane from flying: to prevent or forbid a pilot or aircraft from flying
Bad weather grounded all outgoing flights.
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3. transitive verb make somebody stay home: to restrict somebody to a place, especially a child to his or her home, as a punishment
(
informal
)
My dad grounded me for a week.
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4. transitive and intransitive verb nautical run aground: to become stranded in a vessel, or cause a vessel to become stranded, by running aground
The ferry grounded on a reef.
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5. transitive verb football throw football to ground: in football, to throw the ball to the ground to avoid being tackled, in an infringement of the rules
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6. transitive and intransitive verb baseball hit ball to ground: to strike a baseball so that it hits or rolls along the ground
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7. transitive verb graphic arts prepare painting surface: to apply a preparatory coat to a surface that is to be painted
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8. transitive verb give somebody basic information: to teach somebody the basics about something
was well grounded in machine operation
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9. transitive verb support something: to base ideas, arguments, or beliefs on something
a decision that was grounded in personal experience
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10. intransitive verb land on ground: to land on the ground, or hit the ground
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11. transitive verb put something on ground: to put something on the ground
ground your rifles
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12. transitive verb fix something: to fix something on or in something else as a foundation
The fence posts are grounded in concrete.
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| [ Old English grund< Germanic] |
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break fresh or new ground to do or discover something new
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get (something) off the ground to get something started or operating
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hit the ground running to begin to deal with a new situation with great energy and without delay, generally because of good prior preparation (informal)
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hold or stand your ground to stick resolutely to decisions, attitudes, or principles in the face of pressure to abandon them
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gain ground
1. to make progress
We've gained a lot of ground over the past year.
2. to become better known or more widely accepted
political ideas that were gradually gaining ground
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run somebody or something to ground
1. to find somebody or something finally, after a long and determined search
2. to wear something out
3. to manage something such as a business so badly that it fails
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the moral high ground a position of moral superiority in relation to other people
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