Dictionary.com
definitions
  • synonyms

aground

[uh-ground]
See more synonyms for aground on Thesaurus.com
adverb, adjective
  1. on or into the ground; in a stranded condition or state: The ship ran aground.
Show More

Origin of aground

1250–1300; Middle English. See a-1, ground1
Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2018

Examples from the Web for aground

Historical Examples

  • The landing boat was aground, having removed the two passengers.

    Sand Doom

    William Fitzgerald Jenkins

  • This ship, also aground in the Middle Channel, now came into action with a roar.

    The Long Roll

    Mary Johnston

  • The ship was plunging fore and aft—a sure sign that she was not now aground.

    The Cryptogram

    William Murray Graydon

  • You threatened to drown Tony, and if your boat had not got aground you would have run him down.

    The Boat Club

    Oliver Optic

  • "Well, Bob, we must come about or get aground," I continued.

    Seek and Find

    Oliver Optic

British Dictionary definitions for aground

aground

adverb, adjective
  1. (postpositive) on or onto the ground or bottom, as in shallow water
Show More
Collins English Dictionary - Complete & Unabridged 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012

Word Origin and History for aground

adv.

late 13c., "on the ground," from a- "on" (see a- (1)) + ground (n.). Of ships and boats, "stranded," from c.1500.

Show More
Online Etymology Dictionary, © 2010 Douglas Harper