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

Clear out wood piles, dense ground cover, debris, and rock piles near the garden. —Michelle Mastro, Martha Stewart, 31 May 2026

Replace constantly declining turf in dense shade with mulch or a ground cover. —Tom MacCubbin, The Orlando Sentinel, 30 May 2026

In traditional landscaping, monkey grass is most often used as border or ground cover, but this imitation version effortlessly adds a lavender-like effect to windowboxes, standalone planters, and hanging baskets. —Stephanie Osmanski, Better Homes & Gardens, 29 May 2026

Aggressive ground covers can spread and surround your lavender plant, trapping moisture near the plant and competing for nutrients. —Karen Brewer Grossman, Southern Living, 28 May 2026

Word History

First Known Use

1900, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Rhymes for ground cover

• discover
• hardcover
• recover
• thereover
• uncover
• hover
• plover
• rediscover
• undercover

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