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

These agreements laid the groundwork for further military cooperation. — David Sacks, Foreign Affairs, 28 Sep. 2026

Neither gets the industry to native issuance alone, but both are necessary groundwork for it. — Ivan Kan, Forbes.com, 25 Sep. 2026

His pre-work recommendation involves laying groundwork for a positive, beneficial conversation in advance. — Tom Huddleston Jr., CNBC, 24 Sep. 2026

Regulatory and logistical groundwork The technological leap required years of regulatory and logistical groundwork. — Aman Tripathi, Interesting Engineering, 23 Sep. 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