ground

/graund/

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The word "ground" can be used as both a noun and a verb, and it has several meanings. Let’s break it down in a way that’s easy to understand.

As a Noun:

1. Earth or Soil:

   • Meaning: The solid part of the earth's surface.
   • Example: "We sat on the ground during the picnic."
   • Usage: Refers to the surface of the earth where plants grow. It can also refer to land in general.

2. Foundation or Basis:

   • Meaning: The reason or basis for something.
   • Example: "The grounds for her complaint were clear."
   • Usage: Used when discussing the justification for actions or beliefs.

3. Background:

   • Meaning: The part of a scene that is behind the main focus.
   • Example: "The painting had a beautiful ground of mountains."
   • Usage: In art, it refers to the area behind the main subject.

4. Connection in Electricity:

   • Meaning: A connection between an electrical device and the earth to ensure safety.
   • Example: "Make sure to ground the electrical connections."
   • Usage: Important in electrical work to prevent shocks.

As a Verb:

1. To Connect:

   • Meaning: To establish a connection, especially in electricity.
   • Example: "The electrician grounded the wires for safety."
   • Usage: Used when discussing electrical safety.

2. To Stop or Restrict:

   • Meaning: To prevent someone from going somewhere, often used for children.
   • Example: "After breaking the rules, he was grounded for a week."
   • Usage: Commonly used with children or pets.

3. To Bring to the Ground:

   • Meaning: To make something fall or stop.
   • Example: "The wind grounded the airplane."
   • Usage: Often used in contexts of storms or accidents.

4. To Teach Fundamentals:

   • Meaning: To provide basic knowledge about a subject.
   • Example: "The teacher grounded her students in basic math skills."
   • Usage: Used in educational contexts.

Variants:

• Grounded (adjective): Describes something that is firmly established or a person who is restricted (like a child).
• Grounding (noun): The act of establishing a foundation or connection.

Synonyms:

• Soil
• Land
• Foundation
• Base
• Background

Idioms and Phrasal Verbs:

1. "Gain ground": To improve one's position or progress.

   • Example: "The team is gaining ground in the competition."

2. "Ground to a halt": To stop completely.

   • Example: "The project grounded to a halt due to lack of funds."

3. "Grounded in reality": Based on practical experience or facts.

   • Example: "Her advice is always grounded in reality."

Academic

Verb

1. use as a basis for; found on
   • base a claim on some observation
2. connect to a ground
   • ground the electrical connections for safety reasons
3. cover with a primer; apply a primer to
4. hit onto the ground
5. hit a groundball
   • he grounded to the second baseman
6. throw to the ground in order to stop play and avoid being tackled behind the line of scrimmage
7. hit or reach the ground
8. bring to the ground
   • the storm grounded the ship
9. instruct someone in the fundamentals of a subject
10. place or put on the ground
11. confine or restrict to the ground
    • After the accident, they grounded the plane and the pilot
12. fix firmly and stably
    • anchor the lamppost in concrete

Noun

1. the first or preliminary coat of paint or size applied to a surface
2. (art) the surface (as a wall or canvas) prepared to take the paint for a painting
3. a connection between an electrical device and a large conducting body, such as the earth (which is taken to be at zero voltage)
4. a relatively homogeneous percept extending back of the figure on which attention is focused
5. material in the top layer of the surface of the earth in which plants can grow (especially with reference to its quality or use)
   • the land had never been plowed
   • good agricultural soil
6. the part of a scene (or picture) that lies behind objects in the foreground
   • he posed her against a background of rolling hills
7. a position to be won or defended in battle (or as if in battle)
   • they gained ground step by step
   • they fought to regain the lost ground
8. a relation that provides the foundation for something
   • they were on a friendly footing
   • he worked on an interim basis
9. the loose soft material that makes up a large part of the land surface
   • they dug into the earth outside the church
10. a rational motive for a belief or action
    • the reason that war was declared
    • the grounds for their declaration
11. the solid part of the earth's surface
    • the plane turned away from the sea and moved back over land
    • the earth shook for several minutes
    • he dropped the logs on the ground

Synonyms

• establish
• base
• found
• prime
• undercoat
• run aground
• strand
• anchor
• flat coat
• primer
• priming
• primer coat
• priming coat
• earth
• land
• soil
• background
• footing
• basis
• reason
• dry land
• solid ground
• terra firma