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- DictionaryGround/ɡround/
noun
- 1. the solid surface of the earth: "he lay on the ground" Similar floorearthterra firmaflooringinformal:deck
- ▪ a limited or defined extent of the earth's surface; land: "an adjoining area of ground had been purchased"
- ▪ land of a specified kind: "my feet squelched over marshy ground" Similar earthsoiltopsoildirtclayloamturfclodmoldsoddustlandterrain
- ▪ (in aviation) relating to the ground rather than the air (with particular reference to the maintenance and servicing of an aircraft on the ground): "ground staff"
- ▪ living or growing on or close to the ground: "ground flora"
- 2. an area of land or sea used for a specified purpose: "shore dumping can pollute fishing grounds and beaches"
- ▪ an area of enclosed land surrounding a large house or other building: "the house stands in seven acres of grounds" Similar estategardenslawnsparkparklandlandacrespropertysurroundingsdomainholdingterritoryarchaic:demesne
- 3. an area of knowledge or subject of discussion or thought: "third-year courses typically cover less ground and go into more depth"
- 4. factors forming a basis for action or the justification for a belief: "there are some grounds for optimism" Similar reasoncausebasisbasefoundationjustificationrationaleargumentpremiseoccasionfactorexcusepretextmotivemotivationinducement
- 5. a prepared surface to which paint is applied.
- ▪ a substance used to prepare a surface for painting.
- ▪ (in embroidery or ceramics) a plain surface to which decoration is applied.
- ▪ a piece of wood fixed to a wall as a base for boards, plaster, or woodwork.
- 6. solid particles, especially of ground coffee, that form a residue; sediment: "machines which presoak the coffee grounds produce a superior cup of coffee" Similar sedimentprecipitatesettlingsdregsleesdepositresiduesludgerare:grouts
- 7. electrical connection of a circuit or conductor to the earth. North American
- 8. short for ground bass
verb
- 1. prohibit or prevent (a pilot or an aircraft) from flying: "a bitter wind blew from the northeast and the bombers were grounded" Similar prevent from flyingkeep on the ground
- ▪ (of a parent) refuse to allow (a child) to go out socially as a punishment: informal "he was grounded for hitting her on the head"
- 2. (with reference to a ship) run or go aground: "rather than be blown up, Muller grounded his ship on a coral reef and surrendered" Similar run agroundbecome strandedrun ashorebeachbecome beachedlandbe high and dryOpposite floatput to sea
- 3. give (something abstract) a firm theoretical or practical basis: "the study of history must be grounded in a thorough knowledge of the past" Similar basefoundestablishsetsettlerootbuildconstructform
- ▪ instruct (someone) thoroughly in a subject: "they were grounded in the classics, in history, and in literature" Similar instructcoachtutoreducateschooltrainupskilldrillprimeprepareteachfamiliarize withacquaint withmake conversant withinform aboutinformal:give the lowdown onclue up onclue in onfill in onput in the picture aboutgen up ongive the gen about
- 4. place or lay (something) on the ground or hit the ground with it: "he was penalized two strokes for grounding his club in a bunker"
- 5. connect (an electrical device) with the ground. North American
- 6. (of a batter) hit a pitched ball so that it bounces on the ground: "he grounded to second"
- ▪ (of a batter) be put out by hitting a ball on the ground to a fielder who throws it to or touches first base before the batter touches that base: "he grounded out to shortstop"
Word Origin Old Englishgrund, of Germanic origin; related to Dutch grond and German Grund.
Scrabble Points: 8
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2R
1O
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