gnd

GND is an abbreviation with several distinct meanings across different domains. In electronics and electrical engineering, GND denotes ground, the reference potential used for measurements and as a return path for current. It provides a common reference point for circuit voltages and can be connected to earth or chassis ground depending on the design and safety requirements. In schematic diagrams, GND is typically treated as the central node from which voltages are measured and to which unused currents are directed.

In circuits, grounding helps stabilize operation, reduce electrical noise, and improve safety by providing a path for fault currents. Designers distinguish between different types of ground, such as signal ground, chassis ground, and earth ground, to manage noise coupling and safety considerations. The exact implementation of grounding can vary by country, application, and standard.

GND also stands for Gemeinsame Normdatei, the German national authority file used in library science. Maintained by the Deutsche Nationalbibliothek, it provides standardized identifiers for persons, corporate bodies, conferences, and topics. The GND consolidates and disambiguates names and subjects across bibliographic records and is used in MARC, RDF, and other metadata ecosystems. It supports interoperability and linked data across libraries, enabling accurate aggregation of bibliographic information and improving searchability on a multilingual, international scale.