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common ground

noun
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Definition of common ground

: a basis of mutual interest or agreement

Examples of common ground in a Sentence

Hunters and environmentalists found common ground in their opposition to the new law.
Recent Examples on the Web Richardson gathered members of Weaver and Kinsella together in small circles — even pulling in one student who is facing expulsion from his early-year antics — and listened to them ask for common ground. — Rebecca Lurye, courant.com, "Hartford’s Weaver forging a new identity at campus shared by public, magnet students," 25 Oct. 2019 Think about your work styles, history of interactions and look for any common ground. — NBC News, "4 realistic ways to avoid the gossip trap at work," 24 Oct. 2019 Strive not only for common ground, but higher ground. — Baltimore Sun Staff, baltimoresun.com, "What they’re saying about U.S. Rep. Elijah Cummings’ death," 17 Oct. 2019 Some of them might just be looking for common ground on which to converse. — Judith Martin, Washington Post, "Miss Manners: Maybe they’re just making conversation," 14 Oct. 2019 The American Petroleum Institute, an industry lobby, is fighting back by launching a national advertising campaign that calls for common ground in the energy debate. — Matt Egan, CNN, "Bill De Blasio and Sadiq Khan want your city to dump fossil fuels," 9 Jan. 2020 Again, any chance of seeking common ground in checking Chinese expansionism was lost. — Victor Davis Hanson, National Review, "A Russian Under Every Bed," 17 Dec. 2019 The grandkids found common ground in toys and games. — Petula Dvorak, Washington Post, "A grateful scientist meets the family of the man who helped him stay in the U.S.," 16 Dec. 2019 The Robertsons' attorney, Patricia Schober, said the family and the county have found very little common ground in the case since the lawsuit was filed 11 months ago in January. — Jim Riccioli, Milwaukee Journal Sentinel, "Waukesha County told them to euthanize their dog or move him after 2 family members got hurt. They sued instead.," 11 Nov. 2019

These example sentences are selected automatically from various online news sources to reflect current usage of the word 'common ground.' Views expressed in the examples do not represent the opinion of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.

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First Known Use of common ground

1809, in the meaning defined above

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Time Traveler for common ground

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The first known use of common ground was in 1809

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Last Updated

8 Feb 2020

Cite this Entry

“Common ground.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/common%20ground. Accessed 20 Feb. 2020.

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More Definitions for common ground

common ground

noun

English Language Learners Definition of common ground

: something that people agree about even if they disagree about other things

See the full definition for common ground in the English Language Learners Dictionary

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Rhyming Dictionary: Words that rhyme with common ground

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