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

"While belowground processes are very important for ecosystem function, they are poorly understood compared to above-ground processes because they are more difficult to study," said Wong.

From Science Daily • Jun. 6, 2024

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

From Salon • May 22, 2022

Many of these fungi live belowground, but researchers have traditionally paid little mind to them.

From Science Magazine • May 9, 2022

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

From Scientific American • Sep. 3, 2021

The rest of my stronghold was belowground, in a vast subterranean complex that stretched all the way to the asteroid’s core.

From "Ready Player One: A Novel" by Ernest Cline