legwork

noun

leg·​work ˈleg-ˌwərk 

also ˈlāg-

: active physical work (as in gathering information) that forms the basis of more creative or mentally exacting work (such as writing a book)

Examples of legwork in a Sentence

I wrote the article myself, but my assistant gathered the information and did most of the other legwork.

Recent Examples on the Web

So how might the Chiefs benefit someday from all this initial legwork? —Jesse Newell, New York Times, 11 Nov. 2025

Julian, with Olympia and Matty (and the usual mostly negligible legwork help from Sarah and Billy) is able to piece together the details of what actually happened at that strip club. —Noel Murray, Vulture, 7 Nov. 2025

Home shoppers are already doing a lot of the legwork in terms of finding properties, and the platform provides more filters and targeted search capabilities in that regard, said Jacob Sherman, the company’s chief technology officer and a co-founder. —Aldo Svaldi, Denver Post, 6 Nov. 2025

Of course, that’s the timing needed just to reach a park; actually getting to the trees requires literal legwork. —AFAR Media, 28 Oct. 2025

Word History

First Known Use

1891, in the meaning defined above

Rhymes for legwork

• artwork
• beadwork
• berserk
• breastwork
• brickwork
• brushwork
• casework
• classwork
• clockwork
• coursework
• ductwork
• earthwork

Kids Definition

legwork

noun

leg·​work ˈleg-ˌwərk 

: the work involved in gathering information