SINCE 1828

An Encyclopædia Britannica Company

the ground

Definition of the ground

:the surface of the earth

An apple fell to the ground.

The flight was watched by many observers on the ground.

Word by Word Definitions

ground play

: the bottom of a body of water
: sediment
: ground coffee beans after brewing

: to bring to or place on the ground
: to cause to run aground
: to provide a reason or justification for

: past tense and past participle of grind

See the full definition of ground

Seen and Heard

What made you want to look up the ground? Please tell us where you read or heard it (including the quote, if possible).

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WORD OF THE DAY

adversity

play

serious difficulty or misfortune

Words at Play

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Learned Fools: On Names for Students

Where did we get 'freshman' and 'sophomore'?

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The Synonyms 'Discover' and 'Invent'

In the past, you could invent fruit.

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I'll Have the Us(ual)

Shortening 'usual': easy to say, hard to spell

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The Origins of 'Lobbyist'

From the front hallways to the back rooms

Ask the Editors

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Words of the Year: 1066

Or, Why Pig Meat is Called 'Pork' and Cow Meat is Called 'Beef'

How Often Is 'Biweekly'?

Don't get us started on 'bimonthly'

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Irregardless

It is in fact a real word (but that doesn't mean you should use it).

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Weird Plurals

One goose, two geese. One moose, two... moose. What's up with that?

Word Games

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The Exceptions Quiz III

Which of these things doesn't belong?

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Forms of Government Quiz

Name that government! Or something like that.

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True or False?

Test your knowledge - and maybe learn something along the way.

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Bee Cubed

Listen to the words and spell through all three levels.

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