ground

1 syllable

Quick answer

As a noun, ground means the surface of the Earth, as opposed to the sky or water or underground. As a verb, it means connect (an electrical conductor or device) to a ground.

Meanings of ground

45 meanings

noun

The surface of the Earth, as opposed to the sky or water or underground.
“Look, I found a ten dollar bill on the ground!”
Terrain.
Soil, earth.
“The worm crawls through the ground.”
The bottom of a body of water.
Basis, foundation, groundwork, legwork.
chiefly in the pluralReason, (epistemic) justification, cause.
“You will need to show good grounds for your action.”
“He could not come on grounds of health, or on health grounds.”
Background, context, framework, surroundings.
figurativeAdvantage given or gained in any contest; e.g. in football, chess, debate or academic discourse.
The plain surface upon which the figures of an artistic composition are set.
“crimson flowers on a white ground”
sculptureA flat surface upon which figures are raised in relief.
point laceThe net of small meshes upon which the embroidered pattern is applied.
“Brussels ground”
etchingA gummy substance 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.
architecturemostly in the pluralOne of the pieces of wood, flush with the plastering, to which mouldings etc. are attached.
“Grounds are usually put up first and the plastering floated flush with them.”
A soccer stadium.
“Manchester United's ground is known as Old Trafford.”

Older and rare meanings (1)

historicalThe area on which a battle is fought, particularly as referring to the area occupied by one side or the other. Often, according to the eventualities, "to give ground" or "to gain ground".

Synonym of munny ("land measure")

verb

USTo connect (an electrical conductor or device) to a ground.
To punish, especially a child or teenager, by forcing them to stay at home and/or give up certain privileges.
“If you don't clean your room, I'll have no choice but to ground you.”
“Eric, you are grounded until further notice for lying to us about where you were last night!”
To forbid (an aircraft or pilot) to fly.
“Because of the bad weather, all flights were grounded.”
To give a basic education in a particular subject; to instruct in elements or first principles.
“Jim was grounded in maths.”
baseballTo hit a ground ball. Compare fly (verb (regular)) and line (verb).
To place something on the ground.
To run aground; to strike the bottom and remain fixed.
“The ship grounded on the bar.”
To found; to fix or set, as on a foundation, reason, or principle; to furnish a ground for; to fix firmly.
fine artsTo cover with a ground, as a copper plate for etching, or as paper or other materials with a uniform tint as a preparation for ornament.
To improve or focus the mental or emotional state of.
“I ground myself with meditation.”
Confine or restrict to the ground
“After the accident, they grounded the plane and the pilot”
Throw to the ground in order to stop play and avoid being tackled behind the line of scrimmage
(baseball) a hit that travels along the playing field.
“he grounded to the second baseman”
“he hit a groundball”