ENGLISH
REFERENCE

grounded

adj.
US //ˈɡɹaʊndɪd// UK //ɡɹˈaʊndɪd// ground·ed
  1. 1 sensible and calm (adj.)
    B2 Upper Intermediate

    having a sensible and realistic view of life; not easily upset or confused.

    mentally and emotionally stable; possessing a realistic and balanced perspective on life.

    Example

    Despite her sudden fame, she remained grounded and kept her old friends.

    Example

    The CEO's grounded approach to the crisis prevented the board from making impulsive decisions based on short-term market fluctuations.
  2. 2 punished (adj.)
    B1 Intermediate Informal

    not allowed to go out or do fun things as a punishment.

    restricted to one's home or room by a parent or guardian as a disciplinary measure.

    Example

    I am grounded for a week because I stayed out too late.

    Example

    After failing to meet his curfew for the third time that month, the teenager was grounded and had his phone confiscated for the weekend.
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  1. 3 aviation/nautical (adj.)
    B2 Upper Intermediate

    not allowed to fly or move because of bad weather, safety, or hitting the ground.

    prohibited from flight or movement due to technical, weather, or legal reasons; in a nautical context, stuck on the seabed.

    Example

    All flights were grounded because of the heavy fog at the airport.

    Example

    The entire fleet was grounded indefinitely pending a thorough investigation into the structural integrity of the engine mounts.
  2. 4 electrical (adj.)
    C1 Advanced Technical American English Science

    connected to the earth so that electricity can flow safely.

    connected to the earth or a common return path to complete an electrical circuit safely.

    Example

    Make sure the appliance is properly grounded to avoid an electric shock.

    Example

    The technician verified that the server rack was grounded to prevent static discharge from damaging the sensitive internal components.

    Usage

    In British English, 'earthed' is the standard term for this concept.
    • earthed
Etymology 1

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

Etymology 2

See the etymology of the corresponding lemma form.

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