ground cover

noun

1
: the small plants on a forest floor except young trees
2
a
: a planting of low plants (such as ivy) that covers the ground in place of turf
b
: a plant adapted for use as ground cover

Examples of ground cover in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
Sedum is a drought-tolerant ground cover that will spread without an ounce of help from you. Heather Bien, Southern Living, 11 July 2025 In any case, this is a ground cover that is nearly always in bloom with flowers that appear as small purple candles. Joshua Siskin, Oc Register, 5 July 2025 Sengupta Stith employs containers in her shady East Austin yard to echo the planned naturalness of an English garden; Barnes concentrates on trees, shrubs, vines and ground cover — along with a few herbs and veggies — at his South Austin home. Michael Barnes, Austin American Statesman, 2 July 2025 Select water-conserving and wind-resistant trees, shrubs and ground covers. Tom MacCubbin, The Orlando Sentinel, 31 May 2025 See All Example Sentences for ground cover

Word History

First Known Use

1900, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Time Traveler
The first known use of ground cover was in 1900

Browse Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Ground cover.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/ground%20cover. Accessed 18 Jul. 2025.

Kids Definition

ground cover

noun
: low-growing plants that cover the ground (as in a forest or in place of grass or a lawn)
also : a plant used as ground cover

More from Merriam-Webster on ground cover

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