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

Sure, the deciduous forests change in September, but most of the color in Rainier comes from the shrubs and ground cover that blanket the vast meadows surrounding that famous three-summited mountain amid 26 glaciers. —Graham Averill, Outside Online, 16 Sep. 2024

Choosing low-growing perennials is a convenient and effective ground cover, minimizes erosion, and adds foliage and flowers to the area. —Lauren David, Southern Living, 6 Sep. 2024

Tip 4: Plant ground cover plants Ditch your lawn mower and opt for ground-cover plants. —Katherine McLaughlin, Architectural Digest, 7 Aug. 2024

The estate’s online description notes that management offsets the animals’ carbon footprint by planting vast areas of stubble turnips as ground cover. —Shawn Tully, Fortune, 7 Aug. 2024

Word History

First Known Use

1900, in the meaning defined at sense 1

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