groundwork

noun

ground·​work ˈgrau̇nd-ˌwərk How to pronounce groundwork (audio)
: foundation, basis
laid the groundwork for a new program
also : preparation made beforehand
the groundwork was done before the winter tour Susan Reiter

Examples of groundwork in a Sentence

they had collectively laid the groundwork for a new kind of art
Recent Examples on the Web
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
Immigration lawyers and other Trump critics see that memo as laying the groundwork to bring back O'Brien and others the Trump administration believes were unfairly fired, while removing those hired under Biden. Ximena Bustillo, NPR, 6 June 2025 Although none of these changes can happen overnight, management has been laying the groundwork for a turnaround in its businesses for years. Morgan Chittum, CNBC, 4 June 2025 The six-year, $20 million Coastal Texas Protection and Restoration Feasibility Study laid the groundwork to reduce risks to public health and the economy, restore ecosystems and advance coastal resiliency. Suzanne Wright, USA Today, 4 June 2025 And in the case that Israel withdrew without laying the groundwork for alternative governance, either Hamas would return or chaos would reign, with local warlords battling for control amid extreme human suffering. Assaf Orion, Foreign Affairs, 3 June 2025 See All Example Sentences for groundwork

Word History

First Known Use

15th century, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of groundwork was in the 15th century

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Cite this Entry

“Groundwork.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/groundwork. Accessed 10 Jun. 2025.

Kids Definition

groundwork

noun
ground·​work ˈgrau̇n-ˌdwərk How to pronounce groundwork (audio)

More from Merriam-Webster on groundwork

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