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

• 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

But like a spring that becomes more tightly wound with each passing year, this can quietly lay the groundwork for a violent recoil. —Lisa Oake, CNBC, 17 Aug. 2025

Trump’s defenders will argue that dialogue is better than silence, that even unsuccessful summits can lay the groundwork for future progress. —Bobby Ghosh, Time, 16 Aug. 2025

Taking an almost Commando-esque approach to one-man body counts, Operation Wolf and Thunderbolt laid the groundwork for the more free-hand light gun games of Virtua Cop and Time Crisis that would follow. —Ollie Barder, Forbes.com, 15 Aug. 2025

Wednesday’s vote also lays the groundwork for future bear-hunting seasons if certain conditions are met. —Dac Collins, Outdoor Life, 13 Aug. 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