ground

noun, often attributive \ ˈgrau̇nd \

|Updated on: 18 Jun 2018

Examples: ground in a Sentence

Definition of ground

1 a : the bottom of a body of water

b grounds plural

(1) : sediment 1

(2) : ground coffee beans after brewing

2 a : a basis for belief, action, or argument

ground for complaint

—often used in plural

sufficient grounds for divorce

b (1) : a fundamental logical condition

(2) : a basic metaphysical (see metaphysical 2) cause

3 a : a surrounding area : background

b : material that serves as a substratum

4 a : the surface of a planet (such as the earth or Mars)

b : an area used for a particular purpose

the parade ground

fishing grounds

c grounds plural : the area around and belonging to a house or other building

d : an area to be won or defended in or as if in battle

e : an area of knowledge or special interest

covered a lot of ground in his lecture

5 a : soil, earth

b : a special soil

6 a : an object that makes an electrical connection with the earth

b : a large conducting body (such as the earth) used as a common return for an electric circuit and as an arbitrary zero of potential

c : electric connection with a ground

7 : a football offense utilizing primarily running plays

— from the ground up

1 : entirely new or afresh

The car has been redesigned from the ground up.

2 : from the very beginning : thoroughly

built the resort from the ground up

— into the ground

: beyond what is necessary or tolerable : to exhaustion

labored an issue into the ground
—Newsweek

— off the ground

: in or as if in flight : off to a good start

the program never got off the ground

— on the ground

: at the scene of action

— to ground

1 : into a burrow

the fox went to ground

2 : into hiding

might need to make a run for it and go to ground someplace
—Edward Hoagland

See ground defined for English-language learners

See ground defined for kids

Examples of ground in a Sentence

An apple fell to the ground.
Mechanical problems kept the plane on the ground.
They were lying on the ground.
The flight was watched by many observers on the ground.
planting seeds in the ground
She drove a spike into the ground.
They built their house on bare ground.
We realized that we were on hallowed ground.
They built their house on high ground.
Each fall the birds return to their wintering grounds.

Recent Examples of ground from the Web

The other man tries to reason with the crowd, but eventually gives up, dropping to the ground and curling up to protect himself as much as possible.

— Washington Post, "Rumors spread on social media fuel deadly India mob attacks," 14 June 2018
Johnson's case received national attention after video showed officers kneeing and punching him multiple times before bringing him to the ground.

— uriel j. garcia, azcentral, "Charges dropped against Robert Johnson, man brutally beaten by Mesa police," 14 June 2018
Moving on, let’s talk about how low minivans are to the ground, making them convenient and easy for your children to hop in and out of.

— PEOPLE.com, "Siri Daly's Blog: Making a Case for Why Minivans Do Not Suck When You're a Mom of Three," 14 June 2018
To pursue a career spent attempting to tackle people to the ground before watching others do the same from the sidelines, or a career in judo.

— SI.com, "Pascal Chimbonda & 24 Other Classic Premier League Players You'd Forgotten: No. 17 - Bolo Zenden," 14 June 2018
Within minutes, other officers arrived, Harris was taken to the ground and handcuffed.

— bruce vielmetti, Milwaukee Journal Sentinel, "A driver was stopped and arrested, violently, over the color of his car. His lawsuit is finally headed to a resolution.," 14 June 2018
Actor Darris Love had just finished shopping at the Apple store with his girlfriend, Ayesha Dumas, when he was accosted by police, thrown to the ground, and put into handcuffs.

— Essence.com, "Actor Darris Love Says Police Detained Him For Hours Because He Was Black," 14 June 2018
The deputy jumped the wall, pulled his gun and ordered Saintfort to the ground, investigators said.

— wayne k. roustan, Sun-Sentinel.com, "Fugitive burglar tossed gun on school roof, sparking a lockdown that got him locked up, cops say," 13 June 2018
The couple didn’t want to rebuild in Montecito after their home in the hills burned to the ground.

— nancy keates, WSJ, "A California Refuge From Mud and Fire," 13 June 2018

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

Origin and Etymology of ground

Middle English, from Old English grund; akin to Old High German grunt ground

NEW! Time Traveler

First Known Use: before 12th century

in the meaning defined at sense 1a

See Words from the same year

ground Synonyms

Synonyms

base, basis, bedrock, bottom, cornerstone, footing, foundation, groundwork, keystone, root, underpinning, warp, warp and woof;

assumption, justification, premise (also premiss), presumption, presupposition, rationale, supposition, theory, thesis, warrant;

backbone, center, core, cornerstone, eye, focus, heart, hub, kernel, keystone, nucleus, seat;

essence, quintessence, soul, touchstone;

ground

verb

Definition of ground

grounded; grounding; grounds

transitive verb

1 a : to bring to or place on the ground

b : to cause to run aground

2 a : to provide a reason or justification for

our fears about technological change may be well grounded
—L. K. Williams

b : to furnish with a foundation of knowledge : base

an understanding … that is grounded in fact
—Michael Kimmelman

3 : to connect electrically with a ground

4 a : to restrict to the ground

ground a pilot

b : to prohibit from taking part in some usual activities

grounded her for a week

5 : to throw (a football) intentionally to the ground to avoid being tackled for a loss

intransitive verb

1 : to have a ground or basis : rely

2 : to run aground

The ship grounded on a mud bank.

3 : to hit a grounder

grounded back to the pitcher

See ground defined for English-language learners

Examples of ground in a Sentence

They grounded the ship on a sandbar.
The plane was grounded by mechanical problems.
Bad weather grounded his flight.
a pilot grounded by health problems

Recent Examples of ground from the Web

Realmuto’s double to left scored Yadiel Rivera, but the Marlins stranded runners on second and third when Starlin Castro grounded out on the ensuing at-bat.

— andre c. fernandez, miamiherald, "Lack of offense continues to plague Marlins as Nationals complete sweep, extend streak | Miami Herald," 27 May 2018
By tying this style to memories of his on-again-off-again relationship with the pop singer Nico (who appeared in some of his 70s films), Garrel grounded his images in direct and relatable experiences.

— ben sachs, Chicago Reader, "L’Enfant Secret is so intimate it feels like a confession," 25 May 2018
Delino DeShields struck out, Choo grounded out and Jurickson Profar struck out.

— drew davison, star-telegram, "How bad are the Rangers? Losing three of four to White Sox raises question | Fort Worth Star-Telegram," 20 May 2018
When Chris Majdecki grounded out for the first out of the seventh inning Tuesday, Richards coach Brian Wujcik walked to the bench from the third-base coach’s box to deliver a message to his team.

— pat disabato, Daily Southtown, "Chris in the clutch: Chris Majdecki delivers walk-off single to lift Richards to comeback win over Shepard," 16 May 2018
Nolan Kingham, the Game 1 starter on Saturday and the sixth pitcher for Texas on Monday, came on in the ninth, walking one to load the bases but inducing Brennon Kaleiwahea to ground out and end the game.

— mark rosner, Houston Chronicle, "Texas defeats Tennessee Tech to reach College World Series," 11 June 2018
But the threat ended when Brandon Dixon lined out to right and Schebler grounded out to the pitcher.

— bobby nightengale, Cincinnati.com, "Long ball costs Luis Castillo, Cincinnati Reds in another loss to St. Louis Cardinals," 9 June 2018
All are main characters in a sense, but Michael Cera’s hesitant, smartass security guard and Brian Tyree Henry’s grounded moral compass took center stage by curtain call.

— constance grady, Vox, "Your guide to the 17 most important nominees at this year’s Tonys," 7 June 2018
Singer ended the inning a a batter later when second baseman Chris Lehane grounded out to second base.

— edgar thompson, OrlandoSentinel.com, "Gators' P Brady Singer returns, leads UF to 3-2 win over JU in NCAAs," 3 June 2018

Origin and Etymology of ground

see ¹ground

NEW! Time Traveler

First Known Use: 13th century

in the meaning defined at transitive sense 1a

See Words from the same year

ground Synonyms

Synonyms

base, hang, predicate, rest;

Related Words

establish, found;

assume, postulate, premise, presume, presuppose, suppose;

ground

Definition of ground

past tense and past participle of grind

GROUND Defined for English Language Learners

ground

noun

Definition of ground for English Language Learners

the ground : the surface of the earth
: the soil that is on or under the surface of the earth
: an area of land

ground

verb

Definition of ground for English Language Learners

: to provide a basis or reason for (something)
: to cause a ship or boat to hit the ground below the water so that it cannot move
: to prevent (an aircraft or a pilot) from flying

GROUND Defined for Kids

ground

noun \ ˈgrau̇nd \

Definition of ground for Students

1 : the surface of the earth

Leaves fell to the ground.

2 : ²soil 1, earth

The beans themselves popped out of the ground.
—Laura Ingalls Wilder, Little House on the Prairie

3 : the bottom of a body of water

The boat struck ground.

4 : an area of land

sacred ground

5 : an area used for some purpose

a hunting ground

6 grounds plural : the land around and belonging to a building

the school grounds

7 : background 1

8 : a reason for a belief, action, or argument

What is the ground for your complaint?

9 : an area of knowledge

We covered a lot of ground in class.

10 : a level of achievement or success

The company is losing ground.

11 grounds plural : material in a liquid that settles to the bottom

coffee grounds

ground

verb

Definition of ground for Students

grounded; grounding

1 : to provide a reason for

The practices are grounded in tradition.

2 : to instruct in basic knowledge or understanding The students are well grounded in math.

3 : to run or cause to run aground

ground a ship

4 : to connect electrically with the ground

5 : to prevent (a plane or pilot) from flying

6 : to prohibit from taking part in certain activities as punishment

My parents grounded me for a week.

ground

Definition of ground for Students

past tense and past participle of grind

Medical Dictionary

ground

medical Definition of ground

past and past part of grind

Law Dictionary

ground

noun

legal Definition of ground

1 : the foundation or basis on which knowledge, belief, or conviction rests : a premise, reason, or collection of data upon which something (as a legal action or argument) relies for validity