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

Their efforts, often carried out under threat of violence and economic retaliation, helped lay the groundwork for the representation gains that followed the Voting Rights Act. —Miami Herald, 2 May 2026

But the study laid the groundwork for current research into whether these changes show up before symptoms. —Samantha Agate, Charlotte Observer, 1 May 2026

Pioneers, of course, also famously lay the groundwork for more people to follow in their footsteps. —Eric Lagatta, USA Today, 29 Apr. 2026

And his vision of bachata brought the genre boldly into the present, and also set an unwitting template for how Spanish-language music could firm-footedly interface with pop’s other streams, arguably laying the groundwork for Latin megastars like Bad Bunny. —New York Times, 28 Apr. 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