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

• base
• basis
• bedrock
• bottom
• cornerstone
• footing
• foundation
• ground
• keystone
• root
• underpinning
• warp
• warp and woof

Examples of groundwork in a Sentence

they had collectively laid the groundwork for a new kind of art

Recent Examples on the Web

The law was strengthened over time, laying the groundwork for a professional bureaucracy responsible for everything from food safety to financial regulation. —Mo Rocca, CBS News, 26 Jan. 2025

But the executive order laying the groundwork for them could have significant consequences, Chishti says. —Catherine E. Shoichet, CNN, 25 Jan. 2025

The Oklahoma four-piece, whose mid-2000s heyday laid the groundwork for the current surge in popularity of Red Dirt music, reunited to play six songs late Thursday, closing down the main stage on a cold night at Mile 0 Fest in Key West, Florida. —Josh Crutchmer, Rolling Stone, 24 Jan. 2025

This denial that transgender people exist lays the groundwork for eliminationism through federal policy. —Trans Formations Project, Them, 24 Jan. 2025

Word History

First Known Use

15th century, in the meaning defined above

Phrases Containing groundwork

• lay the groundwork/foundation

Kids Definition

groundwork

noun

ground·​work ˈgrau̇n-ˌdwərk 

: foundation sense 2, basis