groan 
/ˈgroʊn/ verb
groans; groaned; groan·ing /ˈgroʊn/ verb 1 a [no obj] : to make a deep sound because of pain or some strong emotion (such as grief or disappointment)
▪ The wounded man groaned in/with pain. ▪ She groaned when she saw the bill. ▪ She groaned silently/inwardly when she saw the bill. [=she was upset when she saw the bill but she did not actually groan]
b [+ obj] : to say (something that expresses annoyance or unhappiness)
▪ “Oh, no,” she groaned, “I'm going to have to start all over.” ▪ She groaned that she would have to start all over. 2 [no obj] : to complain about something
▪ Merchants are groaning over slow holiday sales. ▪ He's always moaning and groaning about his salary. 3 [no obj] : to make a deep sound caused especially by weight or pressure
▪ The chair groaned under his weight. ▪ groaning bookshelves = bookshelves groaning with (the weight of their) books [=bookshelves filled with books]
▪ The wounded man groaned in/with pain. ▪ She groaned when she saw the bill. ▪ She groaned silently/inwardly when she saw the bill. [=she was upset when she saw the bill but she did not actually groan]
b [+ obj] : to say (something that expresses annoyance or unhappiness)
▪ “Oh, no,” she groaned, “I'm going to have to start all over.” ▪ She groaned that she would have to start all over.
▪ Merchants are groaning over slow holiday sales. ▪ He's always moaning and groaning about his salary.
▪ The chair groaned under his weight. ▪ groaning bookshelves = bookshelves groaning with (the weight of their) books [=bookshelves filled with books]
— groan noun, plural groans [count]
▪ She let out a groan when she saw the bill. ▪ We could hear the groans of the wounded man. ▪ a groan of despair
▪ She let out a groan when she saw the bill. ▪ We could hear the groans of the wounded man. ▪ a groan of despair
