ground state

American  

noun

Physics.

1. the state of least energy of a particle, as an atom, or of a system of particles.

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ground state British  

noun

1. the lowest energy state of an atom, molecule, particle, etc Compare excited

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ground state Scientific  

1. The state of a physical system having the lowest possible potential energy. For example, an electron in the lowest energy orbital in a hydrogen atom is in a ground state. The ground state of a physical system tends to be stable unless energy is applied to it from the outside; states that are not the ground state have a tendency to revert to the ground state, giving off energy in the process.

2. Compare excited state

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Etymology

Origin of ground state

First recorded in 1925–30

Compare meaning

How does ground-state compare to similar and commonly confused words? Explore the most common comparisons:

• ground state vs. excited state
• excited vs. ground state

Example Sentences

See Examples For:

ground state

"But even at the absolute zero temperature, the ground state, the ticking rate will still be affected by just the quantum fluctuations alone."

From Science Daily ● May 18, 2026

"Today, precise state-led strikes, backed by central paramilitary forces, have changed the game. While paramilitary held the ground, state forces gathered intelligence and launched targeted operations. It was clear role delineation and coordination," he said.

From BBC ● May 27, 2025

These technical advances allowed the team to reveal the intrinsic electronic ground state unambiguously, as well as its drastic response to external perturbations in these Kagome superconductors.

From Science Daily ● Feb. 29, 2024

It is a direct consequence of the unconventional ground state of AV3Sb5, which features multiple intertwined electronic orders.

From Science Daily ● Feb. 29, 2024

Vast quantities of the shavings of this wood are sold in a half-torrefied and ground state to disguise its obvious character, and to prevent its being recognised among the waste materials of the brewers.

From A Treatise on Adulterations of Food, and Culinary Poisons Exhibiting the Fraudulent Sophistications of Bread, Beer, Wine, Spiritous Liquors, Tea, Coffee, Cream, Confectionery, Vinegar, Mustard, Pepper, Cheese, Olive Oil, Pickles, and Other Articles Employed in Domestic Economy by Accum, Friedrich Christian