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

New leaves frequently emerge reddish, and the plant may grow as a ground cover, shrub, or climbing vine with hairy aerial roots. — Samantha Johnson, Martha Stewart, 15 July 2026

If keeping your lawn beautifully green is too much, put the mower away and embrace ground cover. — Mary Alice Russell, Southern Living, 13 July 2026

Outside, sensory gardens use cat-safe grasses, rosemary, mint and textured ground covers to give dogs something to explore. — Ryan Brennan, Charlotte Observer, 8 July 2026

The public is encouraged to bring low-back beach chairs, ground cover and picnics. — Ut Community Press, San Diego Union-Tribune, 7 July 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