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

• base
• basis
• bedrock
• bottom
• cornerstone
• footing
• foundation
• ground
• keystone
• root
• underpinning
• warp
• warp and woof

Examples of groundwork in a Sentence

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

Recent Examples on the Web

However, its reintroduction lays the groundwork for a broader debate leading into the 2026 midterm elections. —Aliss Higham, MSNBC Newsweek, 12 May 2025

That’s about to change New 123-unit multifamily project completed in Denver Highlands Similarly, a recent advisory panel focused on reimagining Speer Boulevard and Cherry Creek between the Auraria Campus and downtown lays the groundwork for a more connected, accessible city. —Rodney Milton, Denver Post, 11 May 2025

Camp David laid the groundwork for the Oslo Peace Accords. —Thomas Friedman, Mercury News, 11 May 2025

Relatively muted in violence and gore compared to its sequels, Saw lays the groundwork for each subsequent film almost by accident. —Declan Gallagher, EW.com, 10 May 2025

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