common ground

American  

noun

1. a foundation of common interest or comprehension, as in a social relationship or a discussion.

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common ground British  

noun

1. an agreed basis, accepted by both or all parties, for identifying issues in an argument

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common ground Idioms  

1. Shared beliefs or interests, a foundation for mutual understanding. For example, The European Union is struggling to find common ground for establishing a single currency. [1920s]

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Etymology

Origin of common ground

First recorded in 1925–30

Example Sentences

It’s hard to get stock market bears and bulls to agree on anything, but two prominent, eponymous economists finally found common ground this week.

From Barron's • Apr. 15, 2026

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky has urged Donald Trump and Sir Keir Starmer to meet and find common ground, after the US president's repeated criticism of the UK prime minister.

From BBC • Mar. 17, 2026

But on Iran we should be on common ground.

From The Wall Street Journal • Mar. 12, 2026

I think we have to find common ground with people.

From Slate • Mar. 4, 2026

At my house, with my family, we found a common ground.

From "If I Stay" by Gayle Forman