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

The talks with Russia, held after US-Ukraine talks in Geneva over the weekend, are meant to lay the groundwork for higher-level engagements in the future, the official said, adding that the Russian delegation is attending with President Vladimir Putin’s approval. —Natasha Bertrand, CNN Money, 25 Nov. 2025

This focus should lay the groundwork to expand CHW roles into maternal, child health, and nutrition, protecting families, catching outbreaks early, and reinforcing America’s health security. —Madeleine Ballard, Time, 25 Nov. 2025

In 2018, as California was laying the groundwork to build a new 911 system for the state, a massive fire ripped through Butte County, decimating several Northern California communities and killing over 80 people. —William Melhado, Sacbee.com, 23 Nov. 2025

Davis described earlier commercial work where teams voluntarily added a carbon tax to budgets to fund offsets – small steps that laid groundwork for larger systemic ideas. —Udita Jhunjhunwala, Variety, 22 Nov. 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