Word
grounding
Phoneticsground·ing, stress on the first syllable
US/ˈɡɹaʊndɪŋ/
UK/ɡɹˈaʊndɪŋ/
Definitions
01basic knowledge
B2 · Upper Intermediate Uncountable noun
n. a solid start or basic training in a subject that helps you understand it better later.
n. the provision of fundamental knowledge or a basic background in a specific field or discipline.
“The course gives students a good grounding in the history of art.”
“A thorough grounding in classical mathematics is essential before one can hope to grasp the complexities of quantum physics.”
Synonyms
02punishment for a child
B2 · Upper Intermediate Uncountable noun Informal
n. a punishment where a child or teenager is not allowed to go out or use their phone.
n. the act of restricting a minor's social activities or access to electronics as a disciplinary measure.
“His grounding lasted for two weeks after he failed his math test.”
“The teenager complained that a month-long grounding was an excessive response to a single missed curfew.”
Synonyms
03aviation/nautical restriction
C1 · Advanced Uncountable noun Technical
n. the act of stopping a ship or plane from moving or taking off.
n. the prohibition of an aircraft from flight or the accidental contact of a vessel's hull with the seabed.
“The grounding of all flights was caused by a heavy snowstorm.”
“Following the discovery of a structural flaw, the aviation authority ordered the immediate grounding of the entire fleet for safety inspections.”
04electrical safety
C1 · Advanced Uncountable noun Science Technical · American English
n. connecting an electrical circuit to the earth to make it safe.
n. the process of connecting an electrical circuit to a conducting body, such as the earth, to ensure safety and prevent shock.
“Proper grounding of the washing machine prevents electric shocks.”
“The technician checked the grounding of the server rack to ensure that static discharge would not damage the sensitive components.”
Usage
In British English, this is almost always referred to as 'earthing'.
Synonyms
Real-World Examples
“One common type of treatment involves “grounding,” or redirecting attention to the lower abdomen, the feet, or a point deep in the ground below the body.” “And if you need a quick reset, even a two-minute grounding exercise such as box breathing or bringing to mind three things you are grateful for can provide in-the-moment relief.” “The critical requirement is grounding: the mechanism by which to prescribe externally consistent meaning to symbols.” “In the context of LLM-based embodied artificial systems, grounding more precisely refers to the process of aligning the abstract knowledge of foundation models with the tangible, real-world specifics of the agent, ensuring that language-driven decisions correspond meaningfully with actions and interaction contexts [9].” Etymology
From ground (Old English grund, 'bottom, foundation, earth'). Transferred to cognitive science and artificial intelligence by cognitive scientist Stevan Harnad in 1990.
Etymology adapted from Wiktionary, available under CC BY-SA 4.0.
Word family
NOUN
Domains
- Exam level
- CambridgeCambridgeCambridge English QualificationsThe exam suite from Cambridge University Press & Assessment, from A1 Movers up to C2 Proficiency. The benchmark names double as CEFR labels.B2 FirstIELTSIELTSInternational English Language Testing SystemThe 0–9 band test co-owned by the British Council, IDP, and Cambridge. Used for university entry, work, and migration.5.5–6.5TOEFL iBTTOEFL iBTTest of English as a Foreign Language, Internet-Based TestETS's academic English test, the standard route for US university admissions. Scored 0–120, with a 1–6 scale since 2026.1–6 scale: 4.0–4.572–94TOEICTOEICTest of English for International CommunicationETS's workplace English test, big in Japan and Korea. Listening & Reading scores 10–990 and tops out at C1.785–944
- Frequency
- Frequent
- Level
- B2 · Upper Intermediate
- Updated
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