above ground
The phrase "above ground" can describe something on the earth's surface, being alive, or being open and public.
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Definition
B1General
Situated on or above the surface of the earth.
Example
- The city's metro system runs mainly above ground.
- They installed an above-ground swimming pool in their backyard.
B2Informal
(American English)Being alive.
Example
- Every day I'm grateful to still be above ground.
B2General
(figurative)Not secret; open and public.
Example
- The protest was above ground, with no attempts to hide it from authorities.
C1Botany
(technical)Part of a plant that is above the soil, such as stems, leaves, and flowers.
Example
- The above-ground parts of the plant were damaged by the frost.
Similar
Terms that have similar or relatively close meanings to "above ground":
above grassground levelon the groundground floorhigh groundground gameabove parput in the grounddead groundsurface layerabove the lineabove stairswater column