common ground

American  

noun

1. a foundation of common interest or comprehension, as in a social relationship or a discussion.

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common ground British  

noun

1. an agreed basis, accepted by both or all parties, for identifying issues in an argument

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common ground Idioms  

1. Shared beliefs or interests, a foundation for mutual understanding. For example, The European Union is struggling to find common ground for establishing a single currency. [1920s]

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Etymology

Origin of common ground

First recorded in 1925–30

Example Sentences

See Examples For:

common ground

Soon the two couples are intertwined, each looking to find some common ground.

From Los Angeles Times ● Sep. 18, 2026

Though political opposites, they have landed on the same side of a fast-growing national backlash: a fight against government surveillance that has forged rare common ground in America.

From The Wall Street Journal ● Sep. 17, 2026

While diplomatic gaps remain, Abuja has found common ground with Washington in increasing military cooperation, including with a US troop deployment to Nigeria and a major joint operation against Islamic State fighters in May.

From Barron's ● Sep. 3, 2026

That comes from finding common ground, not from scare ads and nasty attacks.

From Salon ● Aug. 10, 2026

Although he was highly valued by the NSA’s first director, William had little common ground with the blunt general who succeeded him in 1956.

From "The Woman All Spies Fear" by Amy Butler Greenfield