GROUND SWELL

Pronunciation (US):

(GB):

IPA (US):

 Dictionary entry overview: What does ground swell mean? 

• GROUND SWELL (noun)
  The noun GROUND SWELL has 2 senses:

1. an obvious change of public opinion or political sentiment that occurs without leadership or overt expression

2. a broad and deep undulation of the ocean

  Familiarity information: GROUND SWELL used as a noun is rare.

 Dictionary entry details 

• GROUND SWELL (noun)

Sense 1

Meaning:

An obvious change of public opinion or political sentiment that occurs without leadership or overt expression

Classified under:

Nouns denoting natural events

Context example:

there was a ground swell of antiwar sentiment

Hypernyms ("ground swell" is a kind of...):

transition (a change from one place or state or subject or stage to another)

Sense 2

Meaning:

A broad and deep undulation of the ocean

Classified under:

Nouns denoting natural events

Synonyms:

ground swell; heavy swell

Hypernyms ("ground swell" is a kind of...):

crestless wave; swell (the undulating movement of the surface of the open sea)

 Context examples 

The fishing-boats are racing for home, and rise and dip in the ground swell as they sweep into the harbour, bending to the scuppers.

(Dracula, by Bram Stoker)