break ground

phrase

1
: to begin construction
breaking ground on a new wing of the hospital
2
or break new ground : to make or show discoveries : pioneer

Examples of break ground in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
Over on the East Coast, the Walt Disney World resort is breaking ground on its latest attraction, Indiana Jones and the Myth of the Jade Serpent, which becomes the first park to involve titular star Harrison Ford as an animatronic model. — Destiny Jackson, Deadline, 15 Aug. 2026 After that, district officials will break ground on Oak Terrace as well, beginning renovations on the building. — Joseph States, Chicago Tribune, 14 Aug. 2026 Wegmans will break ground today on the company's first store in the Pittsburgh region at the Cool Springs development in Cranberry Township. — Mike Darnay, CBS News, 13 Aug. 2026 Photos from the 2026 digDiane Scherer-Morris Mid-February 2026, authorities broke ground and began digging. — Dateline Nbc, NBC news, 13 Aug. 2026 See All Example Sentences for break ground

Word History

First Known Use

1673, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Time Traveler
The first known use of break ground was in 1673

Rhymes for break ground

See All Rhymes for break ground

Browse Nearby Words

breakfront
break ground
breakhead
See all Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Break ground.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/break%20ground. Accessed 19 Aug. 2026.

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