groundwork

noun

ground·​work ˈgrau̇nd-ˌwərk 

: foundation, basis

laid the groundwork for a new program

also : preparation made beforehand

The groundwork was done before the winter tour.

—Susan Reiter

Synonyms of groundwork

• foundation
• basis
• cornerstone
• bedrock

Examples of groundwork in a Sentence

they had collectively laid the groundwork for a new kind of art

Recent Examples on the Web

Zoroastrianism’s core tenets – a single God, the cosmic struggle between good and evil – are widely believed by historians to have formed the theological groundwork for the major Abrahamic religions. —Rhea Mogul, CNN Money, 21 June 2026

While Skyports and other facility developers are literally laying the groundwork, companies large and small are busy developing the new aircraft. —Anne Kadet, Curbed, 19 June 2026

In new mothers, for instance, an increase in the hormone prolactin helps lay the groundwork for breastfeeding. —Joshua Rothman, New Yorker, 19 June 2026

Decades before the creation of the state of Israel, Vladimir Lenin laid the groundwork for anti-Zionism. —Adam Louis-Klein, The Atlantic, 18 June 2026

Word History

First Known Use

15th century, in the meaning defined above

Phrases Containing groundwork

• lay the groundwork/foundation

Rhymes for groundwork

• artwork
• beadwork
• berserk
• breastwork
• brickwork
• brushwork
• casework
• classwork
• clockwork
• coursework
• ductwork
• earthwork

Kids Definition

groundwork

noun

ground·​work ˈgrau̇n-ˌdwərk 

: foundation sense 2, basis