aground

Everyday

If a ship runs aground or goes aground, it gets stuck on sand, rocks or the sea bottom in shallow water. tree →

In the lessons

Used in stories, news and history about ships and boats: «ran aground», «was aground», «went aground on a sandbank». It tells the reader a ship is stuck and maybe in danger.

Examples

• The ship ran aground on a sandbank. tree →
• The huge container ship went aground in the canal. tree →
• At low tide the little boat was left aground. tree →
• Rescuers helped the sailors when their boat ran aground. tree →
• The pirates' ship was aground on the rocks. tree →
• They waited for the high tide to float the ship that had gone aground. tree →

Note

Used with «run», «go», «be». Not used before a noun. Not the same as «on the ground». Opposite: «afloat».