Definitions for ground
graʊndground

Princeton's WordNetRate this definition:5.0 / 1 vote

1. land, dry land, earth, ground, solid ground, terra firmanoun

   the solid part of the earth's surface

   "the plane turned away from the sea and moved back over land"; "the earth shook for several minutes"; "he dropped the logs on the ground"

2. reason, groundnoun

   a rational motive for a belief or action

   "the reason that war was declared"; "the grounds for their declaration"

3. earth, groundnoun

   the loose soft material that makes up a large part of the land surface

   "they dug into the earth outside the church"

4. footing, basis, groundnoun

   a relation that provides the foundation for something

   "they were on a friendly footing"; "he worked on an interim basis"

5. groundnoun

   a position to be won or defended in battle (or as if in battle)

   "they gained ground step by step"; "they fought to regain the lost ground"

6. background, groundnoun

   the part of a scene (or picture) that lies behind objects in the foreground

   "he posed her against a background of rolling hills"

7. land, ground, soilnoun

   material in the top layer of the surface of the earth in which plants can grow (especially with reference to its quality or use)

   "the land had never been plowed"; "good agricultural soil"

8. groundnoun

   a relatively homogeneous percept extending back of the figure on which attention is focused

9. ground, earthnoun

   a connection between an electrical device and a large conducting body, such as the earth (which is taken to be at zero voltage)

10. groundnoun

    (art) the surface (as a wall or canvas) prepared to take the paint for a painting

11. flat coat, ground, primer, priming, primer coat, priming coat, undercoatverb

    the first or preliminary coat of paint or size applied to a surface

12. anchor, groundverb

    fix firmly and stably

    "anchor the lamppost in concrete"

13. groundverb

    confine or restrict to the ground

    "After the accident, they grounded the plane and the pilot"

14. groundverb

    place or put on the ground

15. groundverb

    instruct someone in the fundamentals of a subject

16. ground, strand, run agroundverb

    bring to the ground

    "the storm grounded the ship"

17. ground, run agroundverb

    hit or reach the ground

18. groundverb

    throw to the ground in order to stop play and avoid being tackled behind the line of scrimmage

19. groundverb

    hit a groundball

    "he grounded to the second baseman"

20. groundverb

    hit onto the ground

21. prime, ground, undercoatverb

    cover with a primer; apply a primer to

22. groundverb

    connect to a ground

    "ground the electrical connections for safety reasons"

23. establish, base, ground, foundverb

    use as a basis for; found on

    "base a claim on some observation"

GCIDERate this definition:0.0 / 0 votes

1. groundverb

   To forbid (a pilot) to fly an airplane; -- usually as a disciplinary measure, or for reasons of ill health sufficient to interfere with performance.

2. groundverb

   To forbid (aircraft) to fly; -- usually due to the unsafe condition of the aircraft or lack of conformity to safety regulations; as, the discovery of a crack in the wing of a Trijet caused the whole fleeet to be grounded for inspection.

3. groundverb

   To temporarily restrict the activities of (a child), especially social activity outside the house; -- usually for bad or unsatisfactory conduct; as, Johnny was grounded for fighting at school and can't go to the movies for two weeks.

Samuel Johnson's DictionaryRate this definition:0.0 / 0 votes

1. Ground

   is much used in composition for that which is next the ground, or near the ground.

2. GROUNDnoun

   Etymology: grund, Saxon; grondt, Danish.

   1. The earth, considered as solid, or as low.

   Israel shall go on dry ground through the sea. Ex. xiv. 16.

   From the other hill
   To their fix’d station, all in bright array,
   The cherubim descended, on the ground
   Gliding meteorous. John Milton, Par. Lost.

   2. The earth as distinguished from air or water.

   I have made man and beast upon the ground. Jer. xxvii. 5.

   There was dew upon all the ground. Judg. vi. 40.

   It light on him as dew falleth on the ground. 2 Sa. xvii. 12.

   Too late young Turnus the delusion found;
   Far on the sea, still making from the ground. John Dryden, Æn.

   3. Land; country.

   The water breaks its bounds,
   And overflows the level grounds. Hudibras.

   4. Region; territory.

   With these came they, who from the bord’ring flood
   Of old Euphrates to the brook that parts
   Egypt from Syrian ground, had general names
   Of Baalim and Ashtaroth. John Milton, Paradise Lost, b. i.

   5. Farm; estate; possession.

   Uneasy still within these narrow bounds,
   Thy next design is on thy neighbours grounds:
   His crop invites, to full perfection grown;
   Thy own seems thin, because it is thy own. John Dryden, Juven.

   6. The floor or level of the place.

   Wherefore should I smite thee to the ground? 2 Sa. ii. 22.

   Dagon was fallen on his face to the ground. 1 Sa. v. 4.

   A multitude sit on the ground. Ma. xv. 35.

   7. Dregs; lees; fæces; that which settles at the bottom of liquors.

   Set by them cyder, verjuice, sour drink, or grounds. John Mortimer.

   Some insist upon having had particular success in stopping gangrenes, from the use of the grounds of strong beer, mixed up with bread or oatmeal. Samuel Sharp, Surgery.

   8. The first stratum of paint upon which the figures are afterwards painted.

   We see the limner to begin with a rude draught, and the painter to lay his grounds with shadows and darksome colours. George Hakewill, on Providence.

   When solid bodies, sensible to the feeling and dark, are placed on light and transparent grounds, as, for example, the heavens, the clouds and waters, and every other thing which is in motion, and void of different objects; they ought to be more rough, and more distinguishable, than that with which they are encompassed. John Dryden, Dufresnoy.

   9. The fundamental substance; that by which the additional or accidental parts are supported.

   Indeed it was but just that the finest lines in nature should be drawn upon the most durable ground. Alexander Pope.

   10. The plain song; the tune on which descants are raised.

   Get a prayer-book in your hand,
   And stand between two churchmen, good my lord;
   For on that ground I’ll build a holy descant. William Shakespeare, R. III.

   11. First hint; first traces of an invention; that which gives occasion to the rest.

   Though jealousy of state th’ invention found,
   Yet love refin’d upon the former ground;
   That way the tyrant had reserv’d to fly,
   Pursuing hate, now serv’d to bring two lovers nigh. Dryden.

   12. The first principles of knowledge.

   The concords will easily be known, if the fore grounds be thoroughly beaten in. Preface to Accidence.

   Here statesmen, or of them they which can read,
   May of their occupation find the grounds. John Donne.

   After evening repasts, ’till bed-time, their thoughts will be best taken up in the easy grounds of religion, and the story of scripture. John Milton, on Education.

   13. The fundamental cause; the true reason; original principle.

   He desired the steward to tell him particularly the ground and event of this accident. Philip Sidney.

   Making happiness the ground of his unhappiness, and good news the argument of his sorrow. Philip Sidney, b. ii.

   The use and benefit of good laws all that live under them may enjoy with delight and comfort, albeit the grounds and first original causes from whence they have sprung be unknown. Richard Hooker, b. i. s. 1.

   Thou could’st not have discern’d
   Fraud in the serpent, speaking as he spake,
   No ground of enmity between us known. John Milton, Par. Lost.

   Nor did either of them ever think fit to make any particular relation of the grounds of their proceedings, or the causes of their misadventures. Edward Hyde, b. viii.

   Sound judgment is the ground of writing well. Wentworth Dillon.

   Love once given from her, and plac’d in you,
   Would leave no ground I ever would be true. Dryden.

   If it be natural, ought we not to conclude that there is some ground and reason for these fears, and that nature hath not planted them in us to no purpose. John Tillotson.

   Upon that prince’s death, although the grounds of our quarrel with France had received no manner of addition, yet this lord thought fit to alter his sentiments. Jonathan Swift.

   The miraculous increase of the professors of Christianity was without any visible grounds and causes, and contrary to all human probability and appearance. Francis Atterbury, Sermons.

   14. The field or place of action.

   Here was thy end decreed, when these men rose;
   And ev’n with theirs this act thy death did bring,
   Or hasten’d at the least upon this ground. Samuel Daniel, C. War.

   15. The space occupied by an army as they fight, advance, or retire.

   At length the left wing of the Arcadians began to lose ground. Philip Sidney.

   Heartless they fought, and quitted soon their ground,
   While our’s with easy victory were crown’d. John Dryden, Aureng.

   He has lost ground at the latter end of the day, by pursuing his point too far, like the prince of Conde at the battle of Senepa. John Dryden, Fables, Preface.

   16. The intervening space between the flyer and pursuer.

   Ev’ning mist,
   Ris’n from a river, o’er the marish glides,
   And gathers ground fast at the labourer’s heels,
   Homeward returning. John Milton, Paradise Lost, b. xii.

   Superiors think it a detraction from their merit to see another get ground upon them, and overtake them in the pursuits of glory. Joseph Addison, Spectator.

   Even whilst we speak our conqueror comes on,
   And gathers ground upon us every moment. Addison.

   17. The state in which one is with respect to opponents or competitors.

   Had’st thou sway’d as kings should do,
   Giving no ground unto the house of York,
   They never then had sprung. William Shakespeare, Henry VI.

   If they get ground and ’vantage of the king,
   Then join you with them like a rib of steel,
   To make them stronger. William Shakespeare, Henry IV. p. ii.

   He will stand his ground against all the attacks that can be made upon his probity. Francis Atterbury, Sermons.

   Whatever ground we may have gotten upon our enemies, we have gotten none upon our vices, the worst enemies of the two; but are even subdued and led captive by the one, while we triumph so gloriously over the others. Francis Atterbury, Sermons.

   18. State of progress or recession.

   I have known so many great examples of this cure, and heard of its being so familiar in Austria, that I wonder it has gained no more ground in other places. William Temple.

   The squirrel is perpetually turning the wheel in her cage: she runs apace, and wearies herself with her continual motion, and gets no ground. John Dryden, Dufresnoy.

   19. The foil to set a thing off.

   Like bright metal on a sullen ground,
   My reformation glittering o’er my fault,
   Shall shew more goodly, and attract more eyes,
   Than that which hath no foil to set it off. William Shakespeare.

3. Groundthe preterite and part. pass. of grind.

   He took the calf which they had made, and burnt it in the fire, and ground it to powder. Exo. xxxii. 20.

   How dull and rugged, ere ’tis ground
   And polish’d, looks a diamond? Hudibras, p. iii.

4. To Groundverb

   Etymology: from the noun.

   1. To fix on the ground.

   Wherever she had grounded her foot, neither gods nor men could force her to retire. Rambler.

   2. To found as upon cause or principle.

   Wisdom groundeth her laws upon an infallible rule of comparison. Richard Hooker, b. i. s. 8.

   It may serve us to ground conjectures more approaching to the truth than we have hitherto met with. Boyle.

   If your own actions on your will you ground,
   Mine shall hereafter know no other bound. John Dryden, Aurengz.

   Some eminent spirit, having signalized his valour, becomes to have influence on the people, to grow their leader in warlike expeditions; and this is grounded upon the principles of nature and common reason, which, where prudence and courage are required, rather incite us to fly to a single person than a multitude. Jonathan Swift.

   3. To settle in first principles or rudiments of knowledge.

   Being rooted and grounded in love. Eph. iii. 17.

ChatGPTRate this definition:0.0 / 0 votes

1. ground

   Ground can refer to a variety of things depending on the context. In a general sense, "ground" can be defined as the surface of the Earth or the solid material beneath our feet. It is commonly used to describe the soil or terrain on which we stand or walk. Additionally, "ground" can also refer to the electrical connection that serves as a reference point for the voltage level in an electrical system. This grounding connection enables the safe discharge of electrical energy and the prevention of electrical shock hazards.

Webster DictionaryRate this definition:0.0 / 0 votes

1. Ground

   of Grind

2. Groundnoun

   the surface of the earth; the outer crust of the globe, or some indefinite portion of it

3. Groundnoun

   a floor or pavement supposed to rest upon the earth

4. Groundnoun

   any definite portion of the earth's surface; region; territory; country. Hence: A territory appropriated to, or resorted to, for a particular purpose; the field or place of action; as, a hunting or fishing ground; a play ground

5. Groundnoun

   land; estate; possession; field; esp. (pl.), the gardens, lawns, fields, etc., belonging to a homestead; as, the grounds of the estate are well kept

6. Groundnoun

   the basis on which anything rests; foundation. Hence: The foundation of knowledge, belief, or conviction; a premise, reason, or datum; ultimate or first principle; cause of existence or occurrence; originating force or agency; as, the ground of my hope

7. Groundnoun

   that surface upon which the figures of a composition are set, and which relieves them by its plainness, being either of one tint or of tints but slightly contrasted with one another; as, crimson Bowers on a white ground

8. Groundnoun

   in sculpture, a flat surface upon which figures are raised in relief

9. Groundnoun

   in point lace, the net of small meshes upon which the embroidered pattern is applied; as, Brussels ground. See Brussels lace, under Brussels

10. Groundnoun

    a gummy composition spread over the surface of a metal to be etched, to prevent the acid from eating except where an opening is made by the needle

11. Groundnoun

    one of the pieces of wood, flush with the plastering, to which moldings, etc., are attached; -- usually in the plural

12. Groundnoun

    a composition in which the bass, consisting of a few bars of independent notes, is continually repeated to a varying melody

13. Groundnoun

    the tune on which descants are raised; the plain song

14. Groundnoun

    a conducting connection with the earth, whereby the earth is made part of an electrical circuit

15. Groundnoun

    sediment at the bottom of liquors or liquids; dregs; lees; feces; as, coffee grounds

16. Groundnoun

    the pit of a theater

17. Groundverb

    to lay, set, or run, on the ground

18. Groundverb

    to found; to fix or set, as on a foundation, reason, or principle; to furnish a ground for; to fix firmly

19. Groundverb

    to instruct in elements or first principles

20. Groundverb

    to connect with the ground so as to make the earth a part of an electrical circuit

21. Groundverb

    to cover with a ground, as a copper plate for etching (see Ground, n., 5); or as paper or other materials with a uniform tint as a preparation for ornament

22. Groundverb

    to run aground; to strike the bottom and remain fixed; as, the ship grounded on the bar

23. Ground

    imp. & p. p. of Grind

24. Etymology: [OE. ground, grund, AS. grund; akin to D. grond, OS., G., Sw., & Dan. grund, Icel. grunnr bottom, Goth. grundus (in composition); perh. orig. meaning, dust, gravel, and if so perh. akin to E. grind.]

FreebaseRate this definition:0.0 / 0 votes

1. Ground

   In electrical engineering, ground or earth can refer to the reference point in an electrical circuit from which other voltages are measured, or a common return path for electric current, or a direct physical connection to the Earth. Electrical circuits may be connected to ground for several reasons. In mains powered equipment, exposed metal parts are connected to ground to prevent user contact with dangerous voltage if electrical insulation fails. Connections to ground limit the build-up of static electricity when handling flammable products or electrostatic-sensitive devices. In some telegraph and power transmission circuits, the earth itself can be used as one conductor of the circuit, saving the cost of installing a separate return conductor. For measurement purposes, the Earth serves as a constant potential reference against which other potentials can be measured. An electrical ground system should have an appropriate current-carrying capability to serve as an adequate zero-voltage reference level. In electronic circuit theory, a "ground" is usually idealized as an infinite source or sink for charge, which can absorb an unlimited amount of current without changing its potential. Where a real ground connection has a significant resistance, the approximation of zero potential is no longer valid. Stray voltages or earth potential rise effects will occur, which may create noise in signals or if large enough will produce an electric shock hazard.

Chambers 20th Century DictionaryRate this definition:0.0 / 0 votes

1. Ground

   grownd, pa.t. and pa.p. of grind.

2. Ground

   grownd, n. the surface of the earth: a portion of the earth's surface: land, field, soil: the floor, &c.: position: field or place of action: (lit. or fig.) that on which something is raised: foundation: sufficient reason: (art) the surface on which the figures are represented.—v.t. to fix on a foundation or principle: to instruct in first principles: to cover with a layer of plaster, &c., as a basis for painting: to coat with a composition, as a surface to be etched.—v.i. to strike the bottom and remain fixed.—ns. Ground′age, the tax paid by a ship for the space occupied while in port; Ground′-ang′ling, fishing without a float, with a weight placed a few inches from the hook—called also Bottom-fishing; Ground′-ash, a sapling of ash; Ground′-bait, bait dropped to the bottom of the water.—adv. Ground′edly (Browning), on good grounds.—ns. Ground′er, at baseball, &c., a ball thrown low rather than rising into the air; Ground′-floor, the floor of a house on a level with the street or exterior ground; Ground′-game, hares, rabbits, as distinguished from winged game; Ground′-hog, the American marmot, or woodchuck: the aardvark of Africa; Ground′-hold (Spens.), ground-tackle; Ground-ice, the ice formed at the bottom of a water first—also An′chor-ice; Ground′ing, the background of embroidery, &c.; Ground′-ī′vy, a common British creeping-plant whose leaves were once used for flavouring ale (gill-ale or gell-ale).—adj. Ground′less, without ground, foundation, or reason.—adv. Ground′lessly.—ns. Ground′lessness; Ground′ling, a fish which keeps near the bottom of the water, esp. the spinous loach: a spectator in the pit of a theatre—-hence one of the common herd: (pl.) the vulgar.—adj. (Lamb) base.—ns. Ground′-nut, ground-bean, or pea-nut, the fruit of the annual leguminous plant Arachis hypogæa; Ground′-oak, a sapling of oak; Ground′-plan, plan of the horizontal section of the lowest or ground story of a building: Ground′-plot, the plot of ground on which a building stands; Ground′-rent, rent paid to a landlord for the use of the ground for a specified term, usually in England ninety-nine years.—n.pl. Grounds, dregs of drink: sediment at the bottom of liquors (explained by Skeat as Celtic—Gael. grunndas, lees, grunnd, bottom, Ir. gruntas, grunnt, bottom).—ns. Ground′sell, Ground′sill, the timber of a building which lies next to the ground; Ground-squirr′el, the chipmuck or hackee; Ground′-swell, a broad, deep undulation of the ocean, proceeding from a distant storm; Ground′-tack′le, the tackle necessary for securing a vessel at anchor; <

The Standard Electrical DictionaryRate this definition:0.0 / 0 votes

1. Ground

   The contact of a conductor of an electric circuit with the earth, permitting the escape of current if another ground exists.

Military Dictionary and GazetteerRate this definition:0.0 / 0 votes

1. ground

   In a military sense, the field or place of action. To take ground; a battalion or company is said to take ground when it extends in any given direction. This term is likewise used in dueling; as, they took their ground at eight or ten paces from each other.

Editors ContributionRate this definition:0.0 / 0 votes

1. groundnoun

   0.) (Biblically above earth) Gram's grossing grains of seeds, trees, vegetables, and good fruit-eating from the sources end. 1.) The solid surface of the earth. A limited or defined extent of the Earth's surface; land. Land or a specific kind. An area of land or sea used for a specific purpose. Of or relating to the air rather than the dirt. 2.) An area of knowledge or subject of discussion or thought. 3.) Factors forming basis for action or the justification for a belief. 4.) A prepared surface to which paint is applied. A plane surface to which decoration is applied. A piece of wood fixed to wall as a base for boards, plaster, or woodwork. 5.) Another term for Sol or Bass. 6.) Solid particles such as coffee that form a residue or sediment. 7.) Electrical connection of a circuit or conductor to the earth. Prohibit or prevent from flying. 8.) Gravity; Magnetic. 9.) To hide or become inaccessible, for a long time. 10.) God called the gathered dust that appears in the existence of dry land "earth," but water would come out of the ground and water the entire surface of the land; the water under the sky is gathered into one place is called "seas;" the Earths Ground Level overseer. (Genesis 1, 2)

   Ground laws add up to a compass that magnifys into being under the rules of Time.

   Etymology: Alpha and Omega

   
   

   Submitted by Tony_Elyon on October 25, 2023  

Surnames Frequency by Census RecordsRate this definition:0.0 / 0 votes

1. GROUND

   According to the U.S. Census Bureau, Ground is ranked #46725 in terms of the most common surnames in America.
   
   The Ground surname appeared 455 times in the 2010 census and if you were to sample 100,000 people in the United States, approximately 0 would have the surname Ground.
   
   74.2% or 338 total occurrences were White.
   15.1% or 69 total occurrences were American Indian or Alaskan Native.
   4.1% or 19 total occurrences were Black.
   3.7% or 17 total occurrences were of Hispanic origin.

Matched Categories

1. • Art
   • Baseball
   • Confine
   • Connect
   • Football
   • Foundation
   • Hit
   • Instruct
   • Material
   • Military Position
   • Object
   • Paint
   • Percept
   • Place
   • Rational Motive
   • Secure
   • Surface
   • Throw
   • View

British National Corpus

1. Spoken Corpus Frequency

   Rank popularity for the word 'ground' in Spoken Corpus Frequency: #615

2. Written Corpus Frequency

   Rank popularity for the word 'ground' in Written Corpus Frequency: #956

3. Nouns Frequency

   Rank popularity for the word 'ground' in Nouns Frequency: #159

How to pronounce ground?

1. Alex

   US English

   David

   US English

   Mark

   US English

   Daniel

   British

   Libby

   British

   Mia

   British

   Karen

   Australian

   Hayley

   Australian

   Natasha

   Australian

   Veena

   Indian

   Priya

   Indian

   Neerja

   Indian

   Zira

   US English

   Oliver

   British

   Wendy

   British

   Fred

   US English

   Tessa

   South African

How to say ground in sign language?

Numerology

1. Chaldean Numerology

   The numerical value of ground in Chaldean Numerology is: 9

2. Pythagorean Numerology

   The numerical value of ground in Pythagorean Numerology is: 7

Examples of ground in a Sentence

1. Bruce Riedel:

   With neither the United States nor Gulf Arab states willing to deploy their ground troops and the Iraqi armed forces in disarray, Iraq has little choice but to turn to the militias, the flaw in the coalition strategy for the last year is weak ground forces. Given the constraints on the U.S. and its Arab allies, the only viable ground force option is Iranian-led Shi'ite Iraqis.

2. Johann von Goethe:

   The ground that a good man treads is hallowed.

3. Ash Carter:

   We're certainly committed to providing intelligence support and advice and assist support. With respect to introducing more forces on the ground with them, that is something that we will I think need to revisit as those forces are actually produced, our role is to be an enabler, a motivator, the chairman used the word leadership, not a substitute for a capable ground force, but an enabler of a ground force.

4. Marine Gen. John Allen:

   Over-the-horizon targeting implies that you have eyes on the target, you've got some form of boots on the ground or intelligence development capability that's on the ground, Allen said in a Middle East Institute discussion Sept. 16. We have none, we've basically given it up.

5. Su Shih:

   My writing is like a ten gallon spring. It can issue from the ground anywhere at all. On smooth ground it rushes swiftly on and covers a thouasand li in a single day without difficulty. When it twists and turns among mountains and rocks, it fits its form to things it meets: unknowable. What can be known is, it always goes where it must go, always stops where it cannot help stopping -- nothing else. More than that, even I cannot know.

Popularity rank by frequency of use