ground floor

noun

1. the floor of a building at or nearest to ground level.

2. Informal.,  an advantageous position or opportunity in a business matter, especially in a new enterprise.

   She took the job in the new company because she wanted to get in on the ground floor.

ground floor

noun

1. the floor of a building level or almost level with the ground

2. informal

   1. to enter a business, organization, etc, at the lowest level

   2. to be in a project, undertaking, etc, from its inception

Word History and Origins

Origin of ground floor¹

First recorded in 1595–1605

Example Sentences

An area on the ground floor of the manor was being set up as a welcome center, gift shop, café and mini-theater.

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The ground floors of some buildings are propped up by scaffolding and appear on the verge of collapse and in some areas rubble is piled high as diggers continue the reconstruction work.

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"The frightening thing about Melissa is not just the wind - it's the rain and the storm surge. You could have your whole ground floor completely inundated and then part of the first floor as well."

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In Brooklyn, Din Tai Fung plans to open in 2027 on the ground floor of the Brook, a luxury apartment building where rent for a studio starts at $3,875 a month.

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The ground floor houses the museum’s main exhibit spaces and amenities, with other exhibits downstairs.

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