ground

the first or preliminary coat of paint or size applied to a surface

(art) the surface (as a wall or canvas) prepared to take the paint for a painting

a connection between an electrical device and a large conducting body, such as the earth (which is taken to be at zero voltage)

a relatively homogeneous percept extending back of the figure on which attention is focused

the part of a scene (or picture) that lies behind objects in the foreground

“he posed her against a background of rolling hills”

a position to be won or defended in battle (or as if in battle)

“they gained ground step by step”

a rational motive for a belief or action

“the reason that war was declared”

the solid part of the earth's surface

“the plane turned away from the sea and moved back over land”

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”

a relation that provides the foundation for something

“they were on a friendly footing”

the loose soft material that makes up a large part of the land surface

“they dug into the earth outside the church”

use as a basis for; found on

“base a claim on some observation”

instruct someone in the fundamentals of a subject

connect to a ground

“ground the electrical connections for safety reasons”

fix firmly and stably

“anchor the lamppost in concrete”

cover with a primer; apply a primer to

(baseball) a hit that travels along the playing field.

“he grounded to the second baseman”

throw to the ground in order to stop play and avoid being tackled behind the line of scrimmage

place or put on the ground

confine or restrict to the ground

“After the accident, they grounded the plane and the pilot”

hit or reach the ground

bring to the ground

“the storm grounded the ship”