grounds

grounds · noun, verb

imported

Definitions

noun, verb

  1. 1.

    (noun, plural) The reasons or justification for an action, belief, or decision.

  2. 2.

    (noun, plural) The land or gardens belonging to a large building or estate.

  3. 3.

    (noun, plural) The particles that settle at the bottom of a liquid, especially coffee.

  4. 4.

    (verb) Third person singular present of ground.

Phrases & expressions

  • •
    grounds for divorce — Legal reasons to end a marriage
  • •
    on the grounds that — For the reason that; because
  • •
    coffee grounds — The residue left after brewing coffee
  • •
    hospital grounds — The land surrounding a hospital

Related words

See also: basis, estate, ground, reason
Synonyms: basis, estate, premises, reasons

Etymology

From Old English grund ("bottom, foundation, ground"). The plural form grounds developed specialized meanings for reasons (legal grounds) and premises (estate grounds).