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ground

1 ground /ˈgraʊnd/ noun
plural grounds
1 ground
/ˈgraʊnd/
noun
plural grounds
Britannica Dictionary definition of GROUND
the ground : the surface of the earth
[noncount] : the soil that is on or under the surface of the earth
[noncount] : an area of land
[count] : an area of land or sea that is used for a particular purpose
see also spawning ground
grounds [plural] : the land around a building
[noncount] : the bottom of the ocean, a lake, etc.
[noncount] : an area of knowledge or interest
[singular] : a place or situation in which someone or something is developed or tested
: a set of beliefs, opinions, or attitudes
[noncount]
[singular]
see also high ground
[count] : a reason for doing or thinking something usually plural
grounds [plural] : very small pieces of crushed coffee beans
10 
[count] US : a wire or metal object that makes an electrical connection with the earth usually singular
called also (British) earth
11 
[count] : the area behind or around a design

above ground

: on top of the earth's surface

below ground

: under the earth's surface

break ground

: to dig into the ground at the start of building something
or break new ground : to make new discoveries

burn to the ground

see 1burn

down to the ground

British, informal
: completely or perfectly

from the ground up

: completely or thoroughly
: from a point at which nothing has been done : from the very beginning

gain ground

or make up ground
: to move faster so that you come closer to someone or something that is in front of you
often used figuratively

get off the ground

: to begin to operate or proceed in a successful way
get (something) off the ground : to cause (something) to begin to operate or proceed in successful way

give ground

: to move backward when you are being attacked : retreat often used figuratively

have/keep your feet on the ground

see 1foot

hit the ground running

see 1hit

hold/stand your ground

: to not change your position when you are being attacked : to not retreat
often used figuratively

into the ground

: to the point of being very tired or exhausted
: to the point of complete failure or ruin

lose ground

: to move slower so that you are farther away from someone or something that is in front of you
often used figuratively
2 ground /ˈgraʊnd/ verb
grounds; grounded; grounding
2 ground
/ˈgraʊnd/
verb
grounds; grounded; grounding
Britannica Dictionary definition of GROUND
[+ object] : to provide a basis or reason for (something) usually used as (be) grounded
often + in
: to cause a ship or boat to hit the ground below the water so that it cannot move
[+ object]
[no object]
[+ object] : to prevent (an aircraft or a pilot) from flying
[+ object] : to stop (a child) from leaving the house to spend time with friends as a form of punishment
[+ object] US : to connect (a wire, a device, etc.) electrically to the ground for safety
[no object] baseball : to hit a ground ball
[+ object] American football : to throw (a football) to the ground in order to avoid being tackled

ground in

[phrasal verb]
ground (someone) in (something)
: to give (someone) basic knowledge about (something)
often used as (be) grounded in
3 ground
3 ground
Britannica Dictionary definition of GROUND
past tense and past participle of 1grind