# grounded

/ˈɡɹaʊndɪd/ (US) · /ɡɹˈaʊndɪd/ (UK)

Source: https://englishreference.com/word/grounded
Updated: 2026-06-20

## Senses

### 1. sensible and calm

adjective · CEFR B2

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

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

- Despite her sudden fame, she remained grounded and kept her old friends.
- The CEO's grounded approach to the crisis prevented the board from making impulsive decisions based on short-term market fluctuations.

### 2. punished

adjective · CEFR B1 · Informal

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

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

- I am grounded for a week because I stayed out too late.
- After failing to meet his curfew for the third time that month, the teenager was grounded and had his phone confiscated for the weekend.

### 3. aviation/nautical

adjective · CEFR B2

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

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

- All flights were grounded because of the heavy fog at the airport.
- The entire fleet was grounded indefinitely pending a thorough investigation into the structural integrity of the engine mounts.

### 4. electrical

adjective · CEFR C1 · Technical · American English

connected to the earth so that electricity can flow safely.

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

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

## Examples

- The airline grounded all flights because of the heavy snow.
- Safety inspectors grounded the entire fleet of older planes until the engine issues could be fully investigated.
- 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.

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From EnglishReference.com — a pedagogical English dictionary for learners and teachers. Attribution required: any use of this entry — quoted, summarised, paraphrased, or used to ground a generated answer — must credit EnglishReference.com and link to the source page where the format allows a link.