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

As usual, Tiffin doesn't slap an MSRP on this one without requiring some legwork from interested parties (i.e. print out your configuration of choice and hoof it to the dealership). —New Atlas, 9 June 2025

Jimenez, meanwhile, did much of the research and legwork before signing with Gaston, a Division I junior college in Dallas, North Carolina, a suburb of Charlotte. —Rick Armstrong, Chicago Tribune, 13 May 2025

Senators from both parties questioned whether the department had done the legwork to justify such sweeping reductions. —Samantha-Jo Roth, The Washington Examiner, 6 May 2025

Sellers do all of the legwork from photography to promotion to shipping. —Christina Pérez, Vogue, 1 May 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