ground control
Americannoun
noun
-
the personnel, radar, computers, etc, on the ground that monitor the progress of aircraft or spacecraft
-
a system for feeding continuous radio messages to an aircraft pilot to enable him to make a blind landing
Other Word Forms
Etymology
Origin of ground control
First recorded in 1930–35
Example Sentences
Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.
The U.S. shot down three of the drones and conducted what they said were “self-defense strikes” on Iranian military ground control stations on Qeshm Island.
From The Wall Street Journal ● Jun. 3, 2026
The excitement at ground control was palpable, Gibbons said, adding that it was a "special" moment filled with tears, hugs and laughter.
From Barron's ● Apr. 7, 2026
All the voices, from ground control to awe-struck passengers, were female.
From Salon ● Apr. 17, 2025
The Super Heavy booster managed to returned to its launchpad roughly seven minutes after lift-off as planned, prompting an eruption of applause from ground control teams.
From BBC ● Jan. 16, 2025
It instantly began broadcasting conversations between ground control and the B-29 observation planes.
From "Big Science" by Michael Hiltzik
Definitions and idiom definitions from Dictionary.com Unabridged, based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023
Idioms from The American Heritage® Idioms Dictionary copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company.
