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

Depending on the structure of a material, they interact with one another and arrange themselves in ways that minimize their energy or, in other words, reach their ground state.

From Science Daily ● Mar. 16, 2026

The ground state represents the lowest possible energy configuration of a system, and at absolute zero temperature every system exists in this state.

From Science Daily ● Mar. 16, 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

"Both algorithms produce a quantum state close to the ground state of a system, which is used to determine many of the system's physical properties," said John Stenger, Ph.D., a Theoretical Chemistry Section research physicist.

From Science Daily ● Mar. 25, 2024

Cocoa-shell, a perfectly valueless material, is mixed in a very finely ground state with cocoa of the commoner kind.

From The Project Gutenberg Encyclopedia Volume 1 of 28 by Project Gutenberg