Translate ground | into French | into German | into Italian | into Spanish Definition of ground
noun
1 [in singular] the solid surface of the earth:he lay on the ground 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 an area of land or sea used for a specified purpose:shore dumping can pollute fishing grounds and beaches (
grounds)
an area of enclosed land surrounding a large house or other building:the house stands in seven acres of grounds [as modifier] (in aviation) of or relating to the ground rather than the air (with particular reference to the maintenance and servicing of an aircraft on the ground):ground staff ground crew [as modifier] (of an animal) living on or in the ground. [as modifier] (of a fish) bottom-dwelling. [as modifier] (of a plant) low-growing, especially in relation to similar plants.
2an area of knowledge or subject of discussion or thought:third-year courses typically cover less ground and go into more depth he shifted the argument onto theoretical grounds of his own choosing
3 (
grounds)
factors forming a basis for action or the justification for a belief:there are some grounds for optimism they called for a retrial on the grounds of the new evidence
4chiefly
Art 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 (
grounds)
solid particles, especially of ground coffee, that form a residue; sediment.
7North American electrical connection of a circuit or conductor to the earth.
verb
[with object] 1prohibit or prevent (a pilot or an aircraft) from flying:a bitter wind blew from the northeast, and the bombers were grounded informal (of a parent) refuse to allow (a child) to go out socially as a punishment:he was grounded for hitting her on the head
(with reference to a ship) run or go aground:the larger ships grounded on the riverbed at low tide rather than be blown up, Muller grounded his ship on a coral reef and surrendered
3 (usually
be grounded in)
give (something abstract) a firm theoretical or practical basis:the study of history must be grounded in a thorough knowledge of the past instruct (someone) thoroughly in a subject:they were grounded in the classics, in history, and in literature
4place or lay (something) on the ground or hit the ground with it:he was penalized two strokes for grounding his club in a bunker
5North American connect (an electrical device) with the ground.
6 [no object] Baseball (of a batter) hit a pitched ball so that it bounces on the ground:he grounded to second (
ground out)
(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
Phrases
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1do preparatory digging or other work prior to building or planting something.
