ground
n. C / Un. the solid surface of the earth that you walk on. It can also mean the soil or dirt in a garden.
n. the solid surface of the earth; the soil or earth's surface in a specific area. Often used to refer to the foundation or base of a structure.
The ground is still wet from the rain.
The children sat on the ground to watch the parade pass by.
The structural integrity of the building depends on how well the foundation is anchored into the solid ground beneath the topsoil.
Etymology tree Proto-Indo-European *gʰrem-der. Proto-Germanic *grunduz Old English grund Middle English ground English ground From Middle English ground, from Old English grund, from Proto-West Germanic grundu, from Proto-Germanic grunduz. Cognate with West Frisian grûn, Dutch grond and German Grund.
Inflected form of grind. See also milled.
Uncountable when referring to the earth's surface generally; countable when referring to specific areas of land or sports fields.
I fell on the floor outsideI fell on the ground outsideUse 'floor' for the surface inside a building and 'ground' for the surface outside.
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common ground
A characteristic or interest shared by multiple people or systems; any belief, etc. held in common.
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ear to the ground
The practice or characteristic of carefully gathering information; a state or mindset of attentiveness.
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eyes on the ground
One or more observers in an area of interest.