middle ground

American  

noun

1. an intermediate position, area, or recourse between two opposites or extremes; a halfway or neutral standpoint.

2. middle distance.

3. Nautical. a length of comparatively shallow water having channels on both sides.

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middle ground British  

noun

1. another term for middle distance See middle-distance

2. a position of compromise between two opposing views, parties, etc

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Etymology

Origin of middle ground

First recorded in 1775–85

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Example Sentences

See Examples For:

middle ground

Highlighting her desire to find a middle ground between the ECB's "hawks" -- who favour rate increases -- and "doves" who prefer looser policy, she described herself as an "owl".

From Barron's ● Oct. 29, 2026

The death row inmate has been caught in a hellish middle ground.

From Slate ● Oct. 7, 2026

There is a big middle ground between being supportive of your husband and funding his retirement.

From MarketWatch ● Sep. 28, 2026

With the device, Snap aims to offer a middle ground between VR headsets like Meta's Quest 3 and lightweight AI smart glasses offered by rivals which look more like conventional glasses.

From BBC ● Sep. 16, 2026

I only know the middle ground where we live our lives.

From "The Poisonwood Bible" by Barbara Kingsolver

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