ENGLISH
REFERENCE

grounded

v.
B2 Upper Intermediate US //ˈɡɹaʊndɪd// UK //ɡɹˈaʊndɪd// ground·ed

v. to stop a pilot, a ship's captain, or an aircraft from flying or sailing, usually for safety or as a punishment. It can also mean a ship hitting the bottom of the sea in shallow water.

v. to prohibit an aircraft or pilot from flying, typically due to technical malfunctions, adverse weather, or disciplinary action; in a nautical context, to cause a vessel to touch the ground in shallow water. Transitive when referring to the restriction of flight; often used in the passive voice.


SIMPLE

The airline grounded all flights because of the heavy snow.

CONTEXTUAL

Safety inspectors grounded the entire fleet of older planes until the engine issues could be fully investigated.

COMPLEX

The aviation authority grounded the pilot pending a full inquiry into the navigational errors made during the final approach, while the vessel itself remained grounded on the sandbar until high tide.

Synonyms
Etymology 1

From Middle English grounded, i-grounded, equivalent to ground + -ed.

Etymology 2

See the etymology of the corresponding lemma form.

Usage

The verb is transitive and frequently appears in the passive voice ('was grounded').

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