ground floor

noun

plural ground floors
1
: the floor of a building most nearly on a level with the ground : first floor sense 1
2
: a favorable position or privileged opportunity usually obtained by early participants
—used especially in the phrase in on the ground floor
investors who got in on the ground floor

Examples of ground floor in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
The loft-like ground floor is designed for gathering with an open kitchen, dining area, and living space. — Angela Tafoya, Vogue, 16 Apr. 2026 Elsewhere in the open-plan ground floor, which includes a living area, dining area, kitchen, and family room, Freudenberger placed various custom shelving units with abundant storage. — Paola Singer, Architectural Digest, 18 June 2026 While Debi’s feels almost cavernous with its brick-laden ground floor space, Tandem is decidedly more modern, with large windows overlooking the street and a polished cocktail menu. — Condé Nast, Condé Nast Traveler, 9 June 2026 In 1712, it was rebuilt in the Queen Anne style by a local official, who retained only the earlier structure’s ground floor, now a Tudor-era basement. — Abby Montanez, Robb Report, 15 Apr. 2026 See All Example Sentences for ground floor

Word History

First Known Use

1601, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Time Traveler
The first known use of ground floor was in 1601

Rhymes for ground floor

See All Rhymes for ground floor

Browse Nearby Words

ground flea
ground floor
ground fog
See all Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Ground floor.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/ground%20floor. Accessed 7 Jul. 2026.

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