DEFINITION
noun [ in sing. ]
1 the solid surface of the earth: he lay on the ground.• [ mass noun ] a limited extent of the earth's surface; land: an adjoining area of ground had been purchased.• [ mass noun ] land of a specified kind: my feet squelched over marshy ground.• Brit.the floor of a room.
2 (also grounds) an area of land or sea used for a specified purpose: shore dumping can pollute fishing grounds.• (grounds) an area of enclosed land surrounding a large house or other building: the house stands in seven acres of grounds | the university grounds.• an area of land, often with associated buildings, used for a particular sport: a football ground | Liverpool's new ground is nearing completion .3 [ mass noun ] an area of knowledge or subject of discussion or thought: third-year courses cover less ground and go into more depth | [ count noun ] : he shifted the argument on to theoretical grounds of his own choosing.4 (grounds) factors forming a basis for action or the justification for a belief: there are some grounds for optimism | they called for a retrial on the grounds of the new evidence.5 chiefly Art a prepared surface to which paint is applied.• a substance used to prepare a surface for painting.• (in embroidery or ceramics) a plain surface to which decoration is applied.• a piece of wood fixed to a wall as a base for boards, plaster, or joinery.6 (grounds) solid particles, especially of coffee, which form a residue; sediment.7 N. Amer.electrical connection to the earth.8 Music short for ground bass.
verb [ with obj. ]
1 prohibit or prevent (a pilot or an aircraft) from flying: a bitter wind blew from the north-east and the bombers were grounded.• informal (of a parent) refuse to allow (a child) to go out socially as a punishment.2 (with reference to a ship) run or go aground: [ with obj. ] : rather than be blown up, Muller grounded his ship on a coral reef.3 (usu. be grounded in) give (something abstract) a firm theoretical or practical basis: the study of history must be grounded in a thorough knowledge of the past.• instruct (someone) thoroughly in a subject: Eva's governess grounded her in Latin and Greek.• (as adj.grounded) well balanced and sensible: for someone so young, Chris is extremely grounded.4 place (something) on the ground or touch the ground with (something): he was penalized two strokes for grounding his club in a bunker.5 N. Amer.connect (an electrical device) with the ground.6 [ no obj. ] (ground out) Baseball (of a batter) be put out because of hitting a ground ball to a fielder who throws it to first base before the batter touches that base: he grounded out to shortstop.
adjective [ attrib. ]
1 (of an animal) living on or in the ground.• (of a fish) bottom-dwelling.• (of a plant) low-growing.2 (in aviation) relating to the ground rather than the air (with particular reference to the maintenance and servicing of aircraft: ground crew.
be thick (or thin ) on the ground exist in large (or small) numbers or amounts: good men are thin on the ground.break ground N. Amer. 1 do preparatory digging or other work prior to building or planting something. 2another term for break new ground below.break new (or fresh ) ground do something innovative and beneficial.cut the ground from under someone's feet do something which leaves someone without a reason for their actions or opinions.from the ground up informal completely or complete: they needed a rethink of their doctrine from the ground up.gain ground become more popular or accepted: new moral attitudes are gaining ground.gain ground on get closer to someone or something that is ahead in a pursuit or competitive situation: the dollar gained ground on all other major currencies.get off the ground (or get something off the ground )start or cause to start happening successfully:there'd have to be a public inquiry before the project got off the ground.give (or lose ) ground retreat or lose one's advantage during a conflict or competition: he refused to give ground on this issue.go to ground (of a fox or other animal) enter its earth or burrow. • (of a person) hide or become inaccessible, especially for a long time: he went to ground following the presidential coup.hold (or stand ) one's ground not retreat or lose one's advantage during a conflict or competition.make up ground get closer to someone ahead in a race or competition.on the ground in a place where real, practical work is done: the troops on the ground are cynical.on one's own ground in one's own territory or area of knowledge or experience: I feel relaxed if I'm interviewed on my own ground.prepare the ground make it easier for something to occur or be developed: these measures prepared the ground for further reform.run someone/thing to ground.work (or run ) oneself into the ground exhaust oneself by working or running very hard.
ORIGIN
Old English grund, of Germanic origin; related to Dutch grond and German Grund .
Written by NativeEnglish
Native English Spain is dedicated to make learning English simple, fun and affordable for Spanish people.
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