{ "term": "ground", "partOfSpeech": "noun", "ox3000": true, "cefr": "a2", "definitions": [ { "senseNumber": 1, "definition": "the solid surface of the earth", "sensetop": "on the groundto the groundabove (the) groundbelow (the) ground", "cefr": "a2", "ox3000": true, "examples": [ { "text": "I found her lying on the ground.", "contextForm": "on the ground" }, { "text": "He **fell to the ground**, crying out in pain.", "contextForm": "to the ground" }, { "text": "The adult insects live above ground.", "contextForm": "above (the) ground" }, { "text": "The helicopter hovered a couple of hundred metres above the ground." }, { "text": "The library has four levels below ground and seven above.", "contextForm": "below (the) ground" }, { "text": "Most of the monkey's food is found at **ground level**." }, { "text": "He sat down on the ground." }, { "text": "Her eyes searched the ground." }, { "text": "The helicopter burst into flames when it hit the ground." }, { "text": "The plane was so overloaded it couldn't leave the ground." }, { "text": "The horse pawed the ground impatiently." }, { "text": "The roots may spread as far below ground as does the foliage above ground." }, { "text": "The town stands on high ground and is not prone to flooding." }, { "text": "The tunnel goes deep under the ground." }, { "text": "The window is just above ground level." }, { "text": "Thunder shook the ground." }, { "text": "a hole in the ground" }, { "text": "the broken branches which littered the ground" }, { "text": "It was buried three metres below ground." }, { "text": "Her feet don't reach the ground when she sits down." }, { "text": "The rope barely reached the ground below." }, { "text": "The rocket crashed a few seconds after it left the ground." }, { "text": "The plant grows to about two feet above ground." }, { "text": "The ground fell away to the left of the road." } ], "topics": ["Geography"], "collocations": { "adjective": ["firm", "hard", "solid"], "verb + ground": ["fall to", "hit", "strike"], "ground + noun": ["level", "forces", "troops"], "phrases": ["the ground beneath somebody’s feet"], "preposition": ["above ground", "below ground", "in the ground"] } }, { "senseNumber": 2, "definition": "used to describe activities that take place on the ground, not in the air or at sea", "sensetop": "on the ground", "examples": [ { "text": "**Ground forces** were deployed in the area." }, { "text": "the deployment of **ground troops**" }, { "text": "a ground and air attack" }, { "text": "He called for more **troops on the ground**.", "contextForm": "on the ground" } ] }, { "senseNumber": 3, "definition": "an area of open land", "cefr": "b1", "ox3000": true, "examples": [ { "text": "The kids were playing on waste ground behind the school." }, { "text": "We found a patch of open ground in the middle of the woods." }, { "text": "There was a small patch of ground at the side of the cottage." }, { "text": "They drove across miles of rough, stony ground." } ], "collocations": { "adjective": ["high", "low", "open"], "… of ground": ["patch", "piece"] } }, { "senseNumber": 4, "definition": "an area of land that is used for a particular purpose, activity or sport", "labels": "(North American English)", "cefr": "b1", "ox3000": true, "examples": [ { "text": "a football/cricket ground" }, { "text": "The atmosphere inside the ground was electric." } ], "collocations": { "adjective": ["cricket", "football", "rugby"], "preposition": ["at a/​the ground", "inside a/​the ground"] } }, { "senseNumber": 5, "definition": "a large area of land or sea that is used for a particular purpose", "examples": [ { "text": "fishing grounds" }, { "text": "feeding grounds for birds" } ], "collocations": { "adjective": ["burial", "dumping", "camp"], "preposition": ["at a/​the ground", "in a/​the ground"] } }, { "senseNumber": 6, "definition": "soil on the surface of the earth", "sensetop": "in/into the ground", "cefr": "b1", "ox3000": true, "examples": [ { "text": "fertile ground for planting crops" }, { "text": "Prepare the ground before you plant anything." }, { "text": "You can sow the seeds directly into the ground.", "contextForm": "in/into the ground" }, { "text": "The car got stuck in the muddy ground." } ], "collocations": { "adjective": ["firm", "hard", "solid"], "verb + ground": ["fall to", "hit", "strike"], "ground + noun": ["level", "forces", "troops"], "phrases": ["the ground beneath somebody’s feet"], "preposition": ["above ground", "below ground", "in the ground"] } }, { "senseNumber": 7, "definition": "the land or gardens around a large building", "cefr": "b2", "ox3000": true, "examples": [ { "text": "the hospital grounds" }, { "text": "We had a guided tour of the house and grounds." }, { "text": "The house has extensive grounds." }, { "text": "Many estate workers lived in cottages in the grounds of the castle." }, { "text": "The doctor's office is on the grounds of the hospital." }, { "text": "The palace is set in extensive grounds." }, { "text": "The boys were playing in the school grounds after hours." } ], "collocations": { "adjective": ["extensive", "large", "castle"], "verb + grounds": ["be set in", "have", "cross"], "preposition": ["in the grounds (of)", "on the grounds (of)"] } }, { "senseNumber": 8, "definition": "an area of interest, knowledge or ideas", "sensetop": "on… groundground for something", "cefr": "b2", "ox3000": true, "examples": [ { "text": "He managed to **cover a lot of ground** in a short talk." }, { "text": "We had to **go over the same ground** *(= talk about the same things again)* in class the next day." }, { "text": "I thought I was on **safe ground ***(= not likely to offend or upset somebody)* talking about music.", "contextForm": "on… ground" }, { "text": "You're on **dangerous ground** *(= likely to offend or upset somebody)* if you criticize his family." }, { "text": "Legal scholars say the president is on **shaky ground**." }, { "text": "He felt he was back on **familiar ground**." }, { "text": "Paris in the 1920s was **fertile ground **for artistic experimentation.", "contextForm": "ground for something" }, { "text": "He knew he was on dangerous ground talking about money." }, { "text": "I was on more familiar ground now that we were talking about our own system." }, { "text": "I apologize if I'm going over old ground." }, { "text": "Legally, we're on very shaky ground." }, { "text": "Several researchers have published articles covering this ground." }, { "text": "We just seem to be going over the same ground that we covered last year." } ], "collocations": { "adjective": ["familiar", "home", "old"], "verb + ground": ["cover", "go over", "tread"], "preposition": ["on… ground"], "phrases": ["break new ground", "hold your ground", "stand your ground"] } }, { "senseNumber": 9, "definition": "a good or true reason for saying, doing or believing something", "sensetop": "ground(s) for somethingground(s) for doing somethingground(s) to do somethingon the ground(s) that…on grounds of something on… groundswithout grounds", "labels": "(law)", "cefr": "b2", "ox3000": true, "examples": [ { "text": "You have no grounds for complaint.", "contextForm": "ground(s) for something" }, { "text": "What were his grounds for wanting a divorce?", "contextForm": "ground(s) for doing something" }, { "text": "There are **reasonable grounds** to believe that a crime has been committed.", "contextForm": "ground(s) to do something" }, { "text": "The case was dismissed on the ground that there was insufficient evidence.", "contextForm": "on the ground(s) that…" }, { "text": "Employers cannot discriminate on grounds of age.", "contextForm": "on grounds of something" }, { "text": "He retired early on health grounds.", "contextForm": "on… grounds" }, { "text": "She was released on compassionate grounds." }, { "text": "What are the **grounds of appeal**?" }, { "text": "Their caution was not without grounds.", "contextForm": "without grounds" }, { "text": "Drunkenness at work was sufficient grounds for instant dismissal." }, { "text": "He resigned from his post on the grounds of ill health." }, { "text": "His evasiveness gave grounds for the suspicion that he knew more than he was saying." }, { "text": "Permission to open a mine was denied on environmental grounds." }, { "text": "The constable had reasonable grounds for arresting her." } ], "collocations": { "adjective": ["good", "reasonable", "strong"], "verb + grounds": ["have", "be", "give (somebody)"], "preposition": ["on… grounds", "on the grounds of", "ground for"] } }, { "senseNumber": 10, "definition": "the small pieces of solid matter in a liquid that have fallen to the bottom", "examples": [ { "text": "coffee grounds" } ], "collocations": { "adjective": ["burial", "dumping", "camp"], "preposition": ["at a/​the ground", "in a/​the ground"] } }, { "senseNumber": 11, "definition": "a wire that connects an electric circuit with the ground and makes it safe", "labels": "(North American English)British English", "cefr": "c2", "examples": [ { "text": "Don't forget to connect the ground wire." } ], "topics": ["Engineering"] }, { "senseNumber": 12, "definition": "a background that a design is painted or printed on", "examples": [ { "text": "pink roses on a white ground" } ] }, { "senseNumber": null, "definition": "to be in a strong position in an argument, etc. because you know the facts", "examples": [ { "text": "Everyone agreed with me, so I knew I was on firm ground." }, { "text": "He is probably on solid ground when he says we need more training." } ], "topics": ["Opinion and argument"] }, { "senseNumber": 1, "definition": "to start digging for a new building project", "examples": [ { "text": "They broke ground for the new highway this month." } ] }, { "senseNumber": 2, "definition": "to make a new discovery or do something that has not been done before", "labels": "British and North American English", "examples": [ { "text": "Her architectural designs have broken new ground." }, { "text": "She broke ground by being the first Black woman to win the award." } ] }, { "senseNumber": null, "definition": "to make a new discovery or do something that has not been done before", "examples": [ { "text": "Her architectural designs have broken new ground." } ] }, { "senseNumber": null, "definition": "to suddenly cause somebody’s idea or plan to fail by doing something to stop them from continuing with it", "examples": [] }, { "senseNumber": null, "definition": "to fail to produce the result or the effect that you hope for; to have little success", "examples": [ { "text": "His charming smile fell on stony ground with her." }, { "text": "The peace initiatives have already fallen on stony ground." } ], "topics": ["Difficulty and failure"] }, { "senseNumber": null, "definition": "completely, or including everything, starting with the most basic things", "labels": "(informal)", "examples": [ { "text": "We need to rebuild the system from the ground up." }, { "text": "He learned about the business from the ground up." } ] }, { "senseNumber": null, "definition": "to become more powerful or successful", "examples": [ { "text": "Sterling continues to gain ground against the dollar." } ], "topics": ["Success"] }, { "senseNumber": null, "definition": "to gradually get closer to somebody/something that is moving or making progress in an activity", "examples": [ { "text": "The police car was gaining ground on the suspects." }, { "text": "They needed to make up ground on their competitors." } ] }, { "senseNumber": null, "definition": "to start happening successfully; to make something start happening successfully", "examples": [ { "text": "Without more money, the movie is unlikely to get off the ground." }, { "text": "to get a new company off the ground" }, { "text": "His plan is too costly to ever get off the ground." } ], "topics": ["Success"] }, { "senseNumber": null, "definition": "to allow somebody/something to have an advantage; to lose an advantage for yourself", "examples": [ { "text": "They are not prepared to give ground on tax cuts." }, { "text": "The Conservatives lost a lot of ground to the Liberal Democrats at the election." } ] }, { "senseNumber": null, "definition": "to hide, especially to escape from somebody", "labels": "(British English)", "examples": [] }, { "senseNumber": null, "definition": "to have a sensible and realistic attitude to life", "examples": [ { "text": "In spite of his overnight stardom he still manages to keep his feet on the ground." } ] }, { "senseNumber": null, "definition": "to start doing something and continue very quickly and successfully", "labels": "(informal)", "examples": [], "topics": ["Success"] }, { "senseNumber": 1, "definition": "to continue with your opinions or intentions when somebody is opposing you and wants you to change", "cefr": "c2", "examples": [ { "text": "Don't let him persuade you—stand your ground." }, { "text": "She held her ground in the debate." } ], "topics": ["Opinion and argument"] }, { "senseNumber": 2, "definition": "to face a situation and refuse to run away", "examples": [ { "text": "It is not easy to hold your ground in front of someone with a gun." } ] }, { "senseNumber": null, "definition": "to make sure that you always find out about the most recent developments in a particular situation", "examples": [ { "text": "The agent had no suitable properties on his books but promised to keep an ear to the ground for us." } ] }, { "senseNumber": null, "definition": "in the place where something is happening and among the people who are in the situation, especially a war", "examples": [ { "text": "On the ground, there are hopes that the fighting will soon stop." }, { "text": "There's a lot of support for the policy on the ground." } ] }, { "senseNumber": null, "definition": "in a place that has no connection with either of the people or sides who are meeting and so does not give an advantage to either of them", "examples": [ { "text": "We decided to meet on neutral ground." } ] }, { "senseNumber": null, "definition": "in an area where somebody has a lot of power, knowledge or experience", "examples": [ { "text": "They are fighting the Conservatives on their own ground." }, { "text": "When it comes to music I'm on my own ground." } ] }, { "senseNumber": null, "definition": "to make it possible or easier for something to be achieved", "examples": [ { "text": "The committee will prepare the ground for next month's meeting." }, { "text": "Early experiments with rockets prepared the ground for space travel." } ] }, { "senseNumber": null, "definition": "to make somebody work so hard that they are no longer able to work; to use something so much that it is broken", "examples": [] }, { "senseNumber": null, "definition": "to work so hard that you become extremely tired", "examples": [] }, { "senseNumber": null, "definition": "to change your opinion about a subject, especially during a discussion", "labels": "(usually disapproving)", "examples": [ { "text": "Each time he seemed to be losing the argument, he just shifted his ground." } ], "topics": ["Opinion and argument"] }, { "senseNumber": null, "definition": "to be very convenient or acceptable for somebody", "labels": "(British English, informal)", "examples": [ { "text": "This job suits me down to the ground." }, { "text": "Country life suits me down to the ground!" } ] }, { "senseNumber": null, "definition": "to claim that your side of an argument is morally better than your opponents’ side; to argue in a way that makes your side seem morally better", "examples": [ { "text": "I was angry with his blatant attempt to take the moral high ground." } ], "topics": ["Opinion and argument"] }, { "senseNumber": null, "definition": "if people or things are thick/thin on the ground, there are a lot/not many of them in a place", "labels": "(British English)", "examples": [ { "text": "Customers are thin on the ground at this time of year." }, { "text": "Security officers were thick on the ground during the King’s visit." } ] }, { "senseNumber": null, "definition": "completely, so that there is nothing left", "examples": [ { "text": "The hotel **burned to the ground**." }, { "text": "The city **was razed to the ground** *(= completely destroyed)*." } ] } ], "pronunciations": { "uk": [ { "pronunciation": "/ɡraʊnd/", "audio": "gr/ground/ground__gb_2.mp3" } ], "us": [ { "pronunciation": "/ɡraʊnd/", "audio": "gr/ground/ground__us_2.mp3" } ] }, "wordOrigin": "noun Old English grund, of Germanic origin; related to Dutch grond and German Grund." }