belowground

American  

[bih-loh-ground] / bɪˈloʊˌgraʊnd /

adjective

1. situated beneath the surface of the earth; subterranean.

2. no longer living; buried, as in a cemetery (usually used predicatively).

   All those who might have known about the incident are now belowground.

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Etymology

Origin of belowground

First recorded in 1955–60; below + ground ¹

Example Sentences

This decomposition has the potential to infuse above- and belowground food webs with carbon, which can affect energy flow between these critical ecological linkages and affect the species they support.

From Science Daily • Jan. 3, 2024

In other words, protecting just the richest aboveground ecosystems might fail to safeguard the full diversity of belowground life.

From Science Magazine • Jul. 6, 2022

The plant parts that you don't see — the roots — have equally important space requirements belowground.

From Salon • May 22, 2022

The pipe was burning off unwanted gases, largely methane, that had risen from belowground with the oil.

From Scientific American • Sep. 3, 2021

Dying belowground was not very high on his things to do list.

From "Artemis Fowl" by Eoin Colfer