Ground Meaning
Ground Definition & Usage
The solid surface of the earth, or the soil or earth in a specific location.
Examples
- "The children played in the garden, rolling on the soft ground."
- "The airplane was safely grounded due to bad weather."
- "He dug into the ground to plant the tree."
- "The ground was wet after the rainstorm."
- "The dog buried its bone deep in the ground."
A connection to the earth or a conductive material used for safety in electrical systems.
Examples
- "Make sure the electrical wiring is properly grounded to avoid a shock."
- "The technician checked the ground of the electrical circuit."
- "The power outage was caused by a grounding issue in the system."
- "They added a grounding rod to the building to prevent electrical hazards."
- "The electrician explained that grounding is essential for electrical safety."
To establish a connection or base on the ground, either physically or metaphorically.
Examples
- "The plane grounded itself after reaching the airport."
- "She grounded the kite by tying it to the fence."
- "The decision to ground the project was made due to budget cuts."
- "His argument was well-grounded in solid research."
- "The teacher grounded the students for breaking the rules."
A basis or foundation for something, such as a principle or reason.
Examples
- "The theory had a solid ground in years of research."
- "Their relationship was built on mutual respect, a strong moral ground."
- "He made the decision based on the legal ground that the contract was void."
- "His actions were justified on the grounds of safety."
- "The company is on solid ground after the financial crisis."
A reason or justification for a belief, action, or argument, especially in legal or moral situations.
Examples
- "On what grounds are you making this accusation?"
- "The lawyer argued that the defendant acted on the grounds of self-defense."
- "The teacher's decision was based on the grounds of fairness."
- "He was dismissed on grounds of poor performance."
- "The law is based on the grounds of justice and equality."
Cultural Context
The word 'ground' has been in use since Old English, with its roots in the word 'grund', meaning earth or soil. It has since evolved into a variety of meanings, from the physical earth to metaphorical uses in social, legal, and technical contexts.
The Ground Beneath Our Feet
Story
The Ground Beneath Our Feet
As Emily stepped into the abandoned farmhouse, the wooden floor creaked beneath her. She knew she was taking a risk; the building had been grounded into the earth long before the foundation had cracked and decayed. She paused, grounding herself with a deep breath, reminding herself why she was here. The mission was clear: find the old blueprint for the community garden project that had been buried under layers of dust and history. In the corner of the room, she spotted an old file cabinet. As she approached, she nearly tripped over an exposed cable snaking across the floor. It reminded her of the importance of grounding electrical systems—her brother, an electrician, always emphasized how essential it was for safety. This thought led her to remember the multiple times they’d discussed grounding the community garden project in practical, sustainable methods. She quickly rummaged through the cabinet and found the dusty folder. Inside, she found old photographs of the garden, along with a detailed layout. The ground had been prepared with care, she realized, and the entire area had been carefully planned based on the principles of environmental responsibility. This was the foundation for everything—the ground beneath the community’s efforts. Emily smiled, feeling a connection to those who had built this place before her. Their work, grounded in thoughtful planning, was still bearing fruit. She left the farmhouse with the blueprint in hand, feeling a renewed sense of purpose. The ground wasn’t just a physical space—it was the foundation for her next big step in revitalizing the garden, grounding the future in the past. As she walked down the path, the sun began to set, casting a golden light over the ground she had walked on so many times before. She realized that sometimes the most important things are the ones that keep us grounded—whether physically, morally, or emotionally.